Canadian Grand Prix Preview: Verstappen Under Pressure, Hamilton Seeks Boost

The Canadian Grand Prix gets underway, with Max Verstappen seeking a fourth consecutive win despite being on the brink of a race ban, while Lewis Hamilton looks to bounce back from a disappointing Spanish GP.

Red Bull consultant advises Max Verstappen to exercise caution at the Canadian Grand Prix, warning him against making rash moves. Verstappen is on the hunt for his fourth consecutive win in Montreal.

With only one penalty point between him and a race ban, Verstappen needs to tread carefully. Last year, he won from a challenging starting position alongside George Russell, who he'll face again in Montreal after their recent on-track encounter.

The question remains how Verstappen will respond to the pressure, but it's certain others will aim to capitalize on any potential slip-up, especially given Montreal's notoriously unpredictable weather.

“He mustn’t do anything wrong over the next two race weekends, and of course he will be told not to do anything rash,” Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko noted, highlighting the importance of caution for Verstappen.

“It would be a catastrophe if he couldn’t start in Austria (the race after Canada),” emphasizing the high stakes for Verstappen.

McLaren, led by Oscar Piastri who holds a 10-point lead over Lando Norris, is expected to be strong again. Mercedes also sees an opportunity in the season's second North American race.

“It's a track where we've tended to find our feet relatively well in the past,” said Mercedes technical director James Allison. “So I'm looking forward to it.

“We've got one or two new bits to take with us and we'll see how we get on.

Mercedes' drought continues, with their best result this season being George Russell's second place in Bahrain, and their last win dating back to Las Vegas last November.

Meanwhile, McLaren has dominated with seven wins in nine races, although their last Canadian GP victory was in 2012 with Lewis Hamilton. The team holds a strong record in Montreal, with 13 wins, and the battle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris is set to intensify.

Ferrari, now second in the constructors' standings, hasn't won in Canada since Sebastian Vettel's victory in 2018 on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

“McLaren is still ahead, but we’re closing the gap step-by-step,” said Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur, reflecting on their progress.

The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve holds special memories for Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, who secured his first F1 victory there in 2007. Hamilton shares the record for most wins in Canada with Michael Schumacher, with seven victories.

Lewis Hamilton is seeking a boost after a disappointing Spanish GP, where he finished sixth and was overtaken by Nico Hulkenberg.

The last three years here have been a blast 👀😁 Happy to be back, Canada 🇨🇦 #CanadianGP pic.twitter.com/48lapTRzU7

— Max Verstappen (@VerstappenCOM) June 11, 2025

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll, the only Canadian driver, is expected to return after missing the Spanish GP due to hand and wrist injuries, with the team hopeful he'll be fit to race in front of the home crowd.

US-owned Haas will mark a milestone with their 200th start, celebrating with a retro grey livery reminiscent of their original design from 2016.

“From nothing to 200 races is significant because not many new teams survive more than two seasons, and they disappear without scoring a single point,” said principal Ayao Komatsu.

“Our aim is high, we want to be at the front of the midfield, and there’s so much going on at this team right now. For our 200th race, I really hope we can celebrate with points.”