Canadian Grand Prix | Verstappen and Red Bull worried

The years go by and Max Verstappen is still at the top. In recent races, however, the three-time world champion has faced greater threats. The show should be interesting at the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit. The Press offers you five intrigues in view of the Canadian Grand Prix.

Fight for first place?

Last season, after eight races, Max Verstappen had 195 points. He had won six times and finished second twice. Fans were complaining about a boring season, when no car seemed even close to competing with the all-powerful Red Bull.

Many had the impression that it would be the same this season, but the last three races have revived hopes of a fight for first place. For now, Verstappen still holds a very comfortable lead of 31 points, but the Miami, Emilia-Romagna and Monaco Grands Prix have shown us that the Dutchman is not unbeatable. After all, this is the first time since 2021 that three consecutive races have been won by different drivers.

Of course, it would be a huge turnaround, and a huge surprise, to see Verstappen let his fourth title slip away. Who wants to beat Verstappen must both be perfect on track and have luck on his side. This was the case for Lando Norris in Miami.

Let’s see if Montreal can be the scene of another surprise.

The battle of the builders

If it still seems almost improbable to see someone other than Max Verstappen win the drivers’ championship, the same cannot be said for Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.

With Charles Leclerc’s victory in Monaco, in addition to Carlos Sainz Jr.’s third place, only 24 points now separate Ferrari and Red Bull. The consistency of the Scuderia’s drivers and cars, combined with the recent setbacks of Sergio Pérez and Red Bull, makes the next races particularly interesting.

In all this, there is also McLaren, which continues to apply serious pressure on Ferrari and Red Bull, even if it is still behind in the championship race. Its drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, are both up to the task in a car that now rivals the best.

In an interview with Sky Sports after the Monaco race, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said, unsurprisingly, that the reigning champion team will need “both of their cars to score points, because [Red Bull] cannot rule out the threat from Ferrari and McLaren.”

The pressure is on Pérez.

Hamilton’s dissatisfaction

Supporters of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes must find the season long. The two Silver Arrows drivers are now clearly behind the Red Bulls, the Ferraris and the McLarens.

George Russell has finished ahead of Hamilton in qualifying seven times so far this season. According to comments reported by Formula 1 on its website, the seven-time world champion indicated that he does not “anticipate being ahead of George in qualifying, particularly this season”.

These statements, said just a few minutes after qualifying in Monaco, suggested a certain dissatisfaction on the part of the 39-year-old driver. Or a feeling that his team is prioritizing Russell over him.

Remember that Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of the season to join Ferrari in 2025.

Still according to comments reported by F1, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff understands the veteran driver’s reaction.

“As a team, we have demonstrated that even in the most intense competitions between teammates, we try to balance things correctly, to be transparent and fair. »

Hamilton has a history of doing well in Montreal – he managed a podium, a third place, last year. Will he be able to offer his Canadian and Quebec fans a good final silver performance on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit?

Magnussen’s conduct

In the first six races of the campaign, the 31-year-old Dane lost 10 of his 12 points. If he reaches the limit of 12, he will be banned for one race.

Before the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in May, Magnussen admitted he might have to adjust his driving to avoid suspension. “I think I won’t have a choice, but I don’t know. I believe that these situations where I had to play the support role for my teammate paid off [pour l’équipe]. »

Magnussen narrowly avoided another penalty at the last Grand Prix, in Monaco. On the first lap he tried to pass Sergio Pérez from the outside, but the space was clearly too thin. The wheels of both collided, and the other Haas, that of Nico Hulkenberg, was involved in the accident. The three drivers’ race ended at that point.

However, the stewards ruled that it was a racing accident, saving Magnussen from another penalty.

A first point for Sauber?

Only three drivers on the grid have yet to collect a point this season, and two of them represent Sauber: Guanyu Zhou and Valtteri Bottas.

New name. New – pretty – colors. But same, or even worse, performance.

Zhou had started the season well, just one place behind the points in Bahrain. Since then, neither he nor Bottas have even touched the top 10.

In 2023, Bottas had achieved a 10^e place in Montreal. Will the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit allow him to collect a first point for his team?