World champion Max Verstappen may not afford another dropout at the Grand Prix of Canada (Sunday, 8 p.m.) – otherwise there is a threat of a racing lock that could hurt in the face of his deficit in the World Cup ranking.
Verstappen was deliberately collided with Mercedes driver George Russell at the last race in Spain. The action and the following punishment promoted him to tenth place from a possible podium. In addition, the 27-year-old got three penalty points in the sinners. He already has eleven on the account that another in Montreal would result in a lock for the upcoming Grand Prix of Austria.
According to his own statements, Verstappen no longer wants to exercise caution. “I came here to fight a race – and I will always drive hard”said the Dutch in the paddock in Montreal: “It is difficult to avoid every duel now. I will just drive as I always do.”
After the dropout in Spain, Verstappen had written on Instagram: “Our choice of tires at the end of the race and some promotions after the Safety Car reinforced my frustration, which led to a maneuver that was not correct and should not have happened.” While the Dutch campaigns for the team, the emotions could “boil up”.
Big deficit for Verstappen
The Grand Prix in Austria also threatens hard consequences in the event of punishment, since the first penalty points are only deleted again afterwards.
The four-time world champion already has 49 points behind Oscar Piatri in the McLaren in the World Cup ranking. Another weak result would therefore be very painful. Verstappen had won in Canada in the past three years.