Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen was unable to win the Kanada Grand Prix, but he got the absolute maximum out of his car. Quite different McLaren -Pilot Lando Norris, who was difficult at the crucial moment – once again.
In your sport.de-Barrief see F1 expert Christian Danner and RTL-data analyst Steffen Kosuch back to the Montreal spectacle, illuminate the Norris-Patzer and explain how Mercedes’s double podium and second place could come. And why it was not enough for Ferrari for a top position.
With his second place at the Grand Prix of Canada, Max Verstappen teased the maximum out of his Red Bull. The Dutch tried to build pressure in the first minutes of the race, but at the latest from the fifth round his powder was shot.
After that, the four-time world champion had to keep the space in the Mercedes-Sandwich and to operate tire management. There was nothing more in Canada this time.
Russell drives away, Antonelli grabs Piatri
The fact that George Russell was allowed to cheer on the podium instead of Max Verstappen at the top was that he was able to defend his pole position in the first rounds after a good start. His team-mate Kimi Antonelli was able to push past the World Cup leader Oscar Piatri at the start of fourth place. The youngster no longer gave this place.
Graph: behind the top pilots (in seconds) on racing winners Russell in the course of the race
While Russell cheered his first racing victory – and that of Mercedes – in 2025, the 18 -year -old was able to look forward to his first podium.
Norris provides McLaren drama with the next mistake
In the end, the greatest drama in Montreal did not provide the top three, but only McLaren drivers Lando Norris.
The Englishman had started the race after a screwed qualifying (starting place 7) with the hard tires, while the tip started with medium. All top cars were on a two-stop strategy, but with different tires and different stint lengths.
This offset allows Norris to catch up again to the top. The end of these top four was his team-mate Oscar Piatri of all people, which led to an interesting team internal duel, in which the McLaren strategists did not speak out.
Norris attacked five laps before the end of the race, Piatri countered on the way to the last harassment and took fourth place. When approaching to the following curve (turn 1), Norris tried again: he pulled to the left, hoping that his teammate would position himself to the right for the following curve.
But Piatri did not do this favor, it came to a collision. It remained without consequences for the Australian, but for Norris it meant the early race.
Again, Lando Norris screwed it up at the crucial moment. It is precisely these repeated mistakes that make him fall back in the World Cup ranking. To make matters worse, the pressure increases with every dropout. It is quite possible that the race in Canada meant a preliminary decision in the World Cup fight.
Pressure on the Ferrari tip increases
And what about Ferrari? There was little to see in Kandad. Although an alternative strategy Charles Leclerc rinsed at the top for a short time, it was only enough for him 5th place. Lewis Hamilton (P6) also aggravated a collision with a marmot that cost damage to aerodynamics.
Video: F1 experts illuminate “Norris’ zero number”
In general, however, the Pace of the Top 3 Teams (Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren) was not able to be able to be able to be able to go. This will further increase the pressure on team leadership. It will be exciting how to react to it.