MONTREAL.- Two weeks after his disappointing sixth place in Monaco, the three-time Formula 1 world champion, the Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), will try to return to winning ways this weekend at the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.
Defeated twice in the last three races, by the Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) in the Principality and by the British Lando Norris (McLaren) in Miami, Verstappen has less margin than last season.
However, the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit, which he likes a lot, should suit his car better.
Two-time winner in Canada, Verstappen seems capable of achieving another victory. “The track is really unique, with old generation vibrators and there are many more opportunities for overtaking. Therefore, it will be essential to have the right set-up for the car and find the balance between straight line speed and stability when braking,” he explained. the Dutch.
His Red Bull teammate, the Mexican Sergio Pérez, will also be eagerly awaited on the banks of the San Lorenzo River, while the Austrian team has just announced the extension of its agreement until 2026, “very good news” according to Verstappen, who said ” happy to continue this fruitful partnership that has lasted several years.
Relieved to be able to keep his place for two more seasons, although at Red Bull drivers are never completely safe from being replaced during the year, 'Checo' Pérez will now be able to drive more freely.
“It feels good to see that the team believes in me to continue the adventure until 2026. I am really delighted to have the team's trust. We have a lot of work ahead of us,” stressed the Mexican.
As always this season, Red Bull will have to defend itself against increasingly better-armed competitors, such as Ferrari, which achieved pole and victory in Monaco thanks to Leclerc, finally a prophet in his country.
High expectations:
“We arrived in Canada full of enthusiasm and everyone is willing to give it their all. The track is different from Monaco, it is much faster and with more overtaking possibilities, but that will not change our approach because we are moving on the right path. Management , the smallest detail can make a difference,” explained Frédéric Vasseur, head of the Scuderia.
McLaren also arrives with a lot of confidence in Quebec after the second place of the Australian Oscar Piastri in Monaco, preceded by a second place for Norris in Imola and, above all, by a victory for the British in Miami.
The new features introduced to the car last month seem to be working very well and the Woking team should also be in contention for the podium this weekend.
“Our car has performed well on different types of circuits so far, but we know that everything may come into question this weekend in Canada, where our opponents will be strong,” said Norris.
Meanwhile, the Alpine team will also be closely watched in Montreal after the collision between their two cars in Monaco.
Esteban Ocon, who caused the collision after attempting a kamikaze overtake on his teammate Pierre Gasly, will be in the seat of his car in Montreal despite the fact that some media had mentioned a suspension, information described as “rumor” by the team.
But Alpine announced this week Ocon's departure at the end of this season after five years of collaboration. If this separation seemed inevitable, the Principality incident precipitated it.
Therefore, the team will want to turn the page in Quebec and try to confirm its timid recovery after a catastrophic start to the season. With only two small points on the scoreboard, Alpine occupies ninth place out of 10 in the constructors' championship, far from its ambitions.
