Verstappen hints Q3 dead heat flattered Red Bull F1 Canada

Verstappen hints that matching Russell's pole time flattered Red Bull's competitiveness, acknowledges Mercedes' true pace potential, urges smoother weekends.

Max Verstappen has hinted that Red Bull's performance in the Canadian Grand Prix was flattered by setting the same lap time as George Russell's pole position. Despite not being able to match the pace of the Mercedes drivers in final practice, Verstappen found himself in a dead heat with Russell during qualifying.

Verstappen acknowledged that Russell's pole time was slower than Lewis Hamilton's benchmark Q2 lap, masking the true pace potential of the Mercedes. He admitted that after seeing Mercedes' lap times in Q2, he knew he couldn't match their pure pace.

The Dutchman emphasized the need for Red Bull to have smoother weekends after facing electrical issues in FP2, which forced him to switch to an old engine. He expressed the importance of cleaner weekends without issues to improve performance.

Verstappen had anticipated that Red Bull's weaknesses with kerb-riding would be prevalent at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, but he found the more open track less penalizing. Despite still facing challenges, he considered his second-place finish as "damage limitation".

He was not surprised by Mercedes' sudden emergence, pointing out how surprises like Ferrari's double Q2 exit show how tight the margins are in Formula 1. Verstappen emphasized the importance of understanding the details and weaknesses of the car to make a difference in performance.

Overall, Verstappen's performance in the Canadian Grand Prix highlighted the competitiveness in Formula 1 and the importance of maximizing potential while addressing weaknesses. The race showcased the close competition among teams and the need for constant improvement to stay ahead in the championship.