Verstappen declares P2 finish ‘the maximum possible’ in Canada following ‘aggressive strategy’

Max Verstappen conceded that Red Bull would not have been able to finish higher than second place during the Canadian Grand Prix, but was pleased with how the Milton Keynes-based team approached the race.

With the McLaren pair of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris starting from third and sixth place on the grid, the day offered a good opportunity for the Dutchman to marginally close the gap to his rivals in the drivers’ standings, especially as he qualified on the front row.

However, he found that overtaking polesitter and eventual winner George Russell was unattainable both at lights out and throughout the race, although he was rarely more than a few seconds behind the Mercedes driver.

Kimi Antonelli was too far back to challenge for P2 in the latter stages, and the unexpected collision between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri secured Verstappen’s first podium since Imola as the race ended under Safety Car conditions.

“It was quite a good race even though I think the first two stints we were struggling quite a bit on the tyres, so we were doing quite an aggressive strategy,” Verstappen summarised post-race.

“Luckily in that final stint we managed to hang in there and actually the pace was a bit better, a lower fuel load so that was good.

“I think we drove an attacking/defending race – attacking with the strategy, defending of course with the cars behind. It worked out for us and I think that was the maximum possible for us today.”

It was a weekend of highs and lows for the reigning champion as the subject of his clash with Russell in Spain still lingered, although he started strong by topping the timesheets in first practice ahead of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.

Things went downhill as the sessions continued and Red Bull adjusted their set-up, but he was happy to claim a spot on the front row despite missing out on pole position by 0.160s.

Asked to look at the wider championship and Red Bull's upcoming home race in Austria, Verstappen replied: “It’s a long season so you need to go race by race. We’ll always do the best we can.

“It’s always a great weekend [in Austria]. We’ve had a lot of great results and hopefully we can have another strong weekend there.”