Max Verstappen seeks record fourth Canada win and trouble-free weekend
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If Max Verstappen collects one more penalty point on his racing license, he will automatically miss the Austrian Grand Prix later in June.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MONTREAL – Max Verstappen will be seeking a record fourth consecutive Canadian Grand Prix triumph this weekend, and a trouble-free race that helps him banish the threat of a suspension following his “rash” moment in Spain.
The four-time world champion goes into the June 15 race knowing that, if he collects one more penalty point on his racing licence, he will automatically miss the Austrian Grand Prix later in June.
That, according to his great mentor, Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko, “would be a catastrophe”.
“He mustn’t do anything wrong over the next two weekends and, of course, he will be told not to do anything rash,” the Austrian told speedweek.com.
The Dutchman, who lies third in the drivers’ championship with 137 points, behind leader Oscar Piastri on 186 and his McLaren teammate Lando Norris on 176, was penalised at the Spanish Grand Prix for ramming into George Russell’s Mercedes.
He admitted it was a deliberate action that “should not have happened” following the race, won with remarkable composure by Piastri, but now faces the challenge of navigating two Grands Prix incident-free before any points are deducted from his licence.
“Barcelona was disappointing for us,” the 27-year-old acknowledged. “Although we gave it everything, it was not the way we would have liked the race to turn out...
“We are looking forward to Canada – the track is unique, has some old school kerbs and plenty of opportunities for overtaking.”
Verstappen and Red Bull might welcome a return to a high-speed track that heavily tests brakes, as they aim to catch McLaren, who are currently leading the title race.
Mercedes and Ferrari will also hope for encouragement at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, where a large crowd is expected to show strong support for hometown driver Lance Stroll as he returns to racing following a medical procedure to address wrist and hand pain.
Mercedes technical boss James Allison said: “It’s a track where we’ve tended to go well in the past and I’m looking forward to it. We have a few new bits to take and we’ll see how we get on.”
The Silver Arrows have not won a race since the Las Vegas Grand Prix last season.
Meanwhile, despite their current dominance, McLaren have not won in Canada since 2012, when Lewis Hamilton secured the third of his seven victories at the circuit, which match Michael Schumacher’s mark.
Ferrari last won in Montreal in 2018 and will need improved fortune to repeat that success, while the circuit remains a favourite for Hamilton, who claimed his maiden victory there in 2007.
Hamilton heads to Canada still searching for his first podium of the season, hoping for a much-needed turnaround as struggles with his car persist. At the same time, his decision to leave Mercedes, the team with which he claimed six of his seven world titles, remains a hot topic of debate in the paddock.
For the 40-year-old Briton, it is not yet a crisis – he retains total support from Ferrari and team boss Fred Vasseur – but after nine of the 24 races this year, is a long way from being a success.
The American Haas team will mark their 200th race by switching to a grey livery that recalls their original colours in 2016. AFP
