Verstappen Targets Canadian GP Bounceback, Highlights Setup Challenge

Following a challenging Spanish Grand Prix, the Formula 1 paddock prepares for the unique test of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen has shared his reflections on the recent Barcelona race and highlighted his priorities for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix weekend. Verstappen described the outcome in Barcelona as "disappointing" despite Red Bull's efforts. The race saw the team opt for an ambitious three-stop strategy, which was significantly impacted by a late safety car period that eliminated the time advantage he had built, bunching the field tightly. In the frenetic closing laps, an incident led to significant oversteer exiting the final corner, costing him a position to Charles Leclerc. Further on-track battles ensued, including contact with Mercedes driver George Russell in the latter stages, which ultimately resulted in a ten-second time penalty being applied to Verstappen's race result. These combined factors meant he finished the Spanish Grand Prix lower down the order than anticipated. With the focus now firmly shifting across the Atlantic, Verstappen stressed that finding the optimal car setup will be the single most important factor for success on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. He noted that the Canadian circuit is unique on the calendar, presenting specific technical challenges. These include navigating distinctive "old school kerbs" and managing demanding "big breaking zones" at the end of long straights. The hybrid nature of the track, combining permanent sections with areas close to walls, requires a delicate balance in setup, particularly concerning suspension stiffness to handle kerbs and aerodynamic efficiency for straight-line speed. A well-dialled-in car is crucial for navigating the chicanes and hairpin effectively, enabling both strong defensive driving and exploiting the acknowledged opportunities for overtaking. Verstappen also mentioned attending a team event at Hangar-7 during the brief break following the demanding triple-header run of races. Looking ahead, the Red Bull driver is hopeful for a positive performance, referencing the team's victory at the venue last year. Preliminary weather forecasts for this year's event appear more favourable than the conditions faced in the previous season. Verstappen and his team are aiming to put the Spanish GP behind them and tackle the Canadian challenge effectively through meticulous preparation and setup work.