Max Verstappen: Beating Mercedes to F1 Canadian GP podium “will be hard enough”

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen feels there is no chance Red Bull can match McLaren in Formula 1’s Canadian Grand Prix, focusing his attention on a podium fight with Mercedes.

Verstappen won the past three races in Canada, but the 2025 edition of the Montreal race looks set to tell a different story.

With its absence of fast corners and an emphasis on the rear axle, the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is one where Verstappen expects Red Bull will struggle to bring the fight to the leading McLarens.

“It’s a bit different this time around,” Verstappen conceded, while singling out Mercedes as Red Bull’s biggest direct threat. “But I think if we can fight for a podium with Ferrari, Mercedes. That already would be a good achievement.

“[The McLarens] go faster. It’s not even in my head. I’m more focusing on the other teams. I know that last year, for example, Mercedes was very strong here. I think if you compare last year to now, maybe they’re more competitive as well.

“So, it will be hard enough to already fight for a podium.”

George Russell, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Gongora / NurPhoto via Getty Images

While Verstappen feels Red Bull has addressed some of its balance issues, it is lacking outright performance on rear-limited circuits like Montreal compared to the McLarens, and the way the RB21 handles kerbs and bumps still isn’t best-in-class either.

“I do think already compared to last year we did make our car more driveable. We don’t have these big issues in terms of balance,” he explained. “Of course, we know some of our weaknesses; the low speed, kerbs, bumpy surfaces are not ideal for us.

“We’re headed in the right direction compared to last year. Now we just need to find a bit more overall performance.”

Additional reporting by Emily Selleck