Formula 1 Canadian GP
Max Verstappen: Red Bull to "investigate" set-up changes that cost time in Canada
Red Bull changed the set-up of Max Verstappen’s car from FP1 to FP2 in Canada, which the Dutchman says hit his lap times
Emily Selleck
Edited: Jun 14, 2025, 8:24 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen is optimistic about his chances in the Canadian Grand Prix, despite losing pace during the second practice session. The Red Bull driver, who went ninth quickest on Friday afternoon, said he was “quite happy” with his car, but admitted that his team had to “investigate” the drop in performance.
“FP2 was a bit more difficult for other reasons,” he said after the session. “I think we lost something with the car, like balance-wise, that we need to investigate. But overall, I think it was quite a positive day for us.”
Verstappen topped the first practice session in Montreal, setting a fastest lap of 1m13.193s during a session that was plagued with spins and snaps from other drivers. However, while Verstappen's time improved in the second session, it was only quick enough for ninth in the standings.
Despite this, the Dutchman said the team will be “looking okay” for Sunday’s race if they “can get the car back to how it felt in FP1.”
He added: “There's still one more session where people can get it right. For us, we just want to get it in a good window and then we'll see how far we are up there in qualifying.”
Earlier in the weekend, Verstappen admitted he doesn’t think that Red Bull can compete with McLaren around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, despite standing on the top step of the podium at the past three races in Canada.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
"It's a bit different this time around," Verstappen said, noting that his podium fight is with Mercedes. "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."
Verstappen may not want to fight too hard, however, as he remains just one penalty point away from a race ban, after picking up three additional points for his contact with George Russell in Barcelona.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said the team has “enough drivers” to cope with Verstappen’s potential exit for one race weekend.
"First of all, [Max receiving a ban is] a situation that we want to desperately try and avoid,” he said. "And should it come, we've got enough drivers to draw upon from the pool of Red Bull drivers.”
Photos from Canadian GP - Practice & Qualifying
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
2025 Canadian Grand Prix - Saturday
Formula 1
26
Read Also:
Formula 1F1 Canadian GP: George Russell leads Lando Norris at the top in FP2
Formula 1Red Bull has “enough drivers” to cover Max Verstappen’s F1 ban threat
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Fernando Alonso hits back at Lewis Hamilton critics amid Ferrari struggles
Next article Martin Brundle offers support to Derek Warwick after FIA steward suspension
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Emily Selleck
Machine Gun Kelly, T-Pain and Zedd to headline F1 Las Vegas GP lineup
Formula 1
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
Jul 31, 2025
Machine Gun Kelly, T-Pain and Zedd to headline F1 Las Vegas GP lineup
How Toni Breidinger uses fashion as a “creative outlet” to help her race
NASCAR Truck
NASCAR Truck Jul 23, 2025
How Toni Breidinger uses fashion as a “creative outlet” to help her race
Lewis Hamilton reveals second Dior capsule collection with nods to South Africa and ‘Afrofuturism’
Culture
Culture Jul 22, 2025
Lewis Hamilton reveals second Dior capsule collection with nods to South Africa and ‘Afrofuturism’
More from
Max Verstappen
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Formula 1
Formula 1 1 d
F1 driver contracts: How long is each driver tied down for?
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
2 d
Max Verstappen on Ferrari clashes: "I would never sign two number-one drivers"
More from
Red Bull Racing
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Formula 1
Formula 1 1 d
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Latest news
The ten closest finishes from the 2026 NASCAR season
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 13 h
The ten closest finishes from the 2026 NASCAR season
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 13 h
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
15 h
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
17 h
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe