'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Max Verstappen does not think he can make it four wins in a row in the F1 Canadian GP, as a podium in itself would be a big thing, according to him. The Dutch driver has had breathtaking form at the circuit ever since the circus returned in 2022.
He won a very comfortable race from pole position in 2022, which was followed by another relatively straightforward race in 2023. The race in 2024 was quite interesting as it featured Max Verstappen battling both Lando Norris and George Russell for the win. In the end, it came down to the safety car timing and the strategy that helped the driver win.
Things are, however, a bit different in 2025. Red Bull is not the same force as it was in the last three years. That has meant that Max Verstappen has been forced to check his expectations ahead of the race weekend. Talking to the media, including Motorsport, the Dutch driver felt that even if he had a podium, he would be quite happy.
Trending
Pointing out how McLaren is just out of reach while teams like Mercedes and Ferrari could be a threat, the driver said,
"It's a bit different this time around. 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."
Max Verstappen thinks Red Bull is making progress.
The Dutch driver did, however, have a positive outlook when talking about Red Bull. The Austrian team did lose their way last season when the development direction went haywire. This season, the car is slowly getting better, and Max Verstappen pointed out the areas where he felt improvements have been made. Talking about how he felt the team is going in the right direction, he said,
"I do think already compared to last year we did make our car more driveable. We don't have these big issues in terms of balance. Of course, we know some of our weaknesses; the low speed, kerbs, bumpy surfaces are not ideal for us. We're headed in the right direction compared to last year. Now we just need to find a bit more overall performance."
Max Verstappen's current deficit of 49 points to the championship leader means that the title might be slowly slipping away from him. The driver needs the car to be slightly better so that he can challenge the McLarens, but for now, he doesn't have the tools to do so.
