The Red Bull team was back on track after a sloppy start to the Canadian GP. The Austrian outfit and Max Verstappen were off-color during the Monaco GP. However, it didn’t take them long to return to winning ways. The Monte Carlo street circuit was a nightmare for low-riding RB20. As a result, RB20 was bouncing like a ‘kangaroo’ lacking pace on the bumpy tracks. But, the Montreal race further extended RBR’s lead, cementing its top position.
On the flip side, Lando Norris was not much behind, consistently trailing behind the reigning world champion. The rivalry between Norris and Verstappen is growing intense, as they have been on top throughout the season. Thus, F1 aficionados believe Norris would be the only hurdle in Verstappen’s fourth consecutive world title path.
McLaren’s Steady Progress Makes Norris Verstappen’s Main Challenger
The Monaco dip left the Red Bull crew with a lot of concerns. As a result, the team waited to recover. Consequently, Verstappen set the stage for RBR’s return in an action-packed thriller on Sunday. The clouds hovered over the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, and after a damp start, the safety cars were deployed twice. At the beginning of the weekend, the Milton Keynes-based team was struggling due to poor FP sessions. Furthermore, George Russell won the pole position, and the safety car was deployed following the Logan Sargeant collision. Later, following the restart, Verstappen demonstrated mastery by running through the raindrops to keep the lead. Furthermore, the second safety car was dispatched following the collision between Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon. The incumbent world champion remained calm until the last lap when he sprinted to the checkered line.
Although it wasn’t an easy victory, like Imola, Verstappen portrayed his excellence. The three-way battle between Verstappen, Norris, and Russell kept the intensity high throughout the race. While George Russell started in pole position, he was soon overtaken by Red Bull and McLaren. The spotlight soon shifted to Norris and Verstappen, who have been remarkable until now. The Dutchman leads the pack, 56 points ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
The Ferrari driver had a dismal performance, and Lando Norris is just behind him, trailing by seven points. The young Briton clinched his maiden title in Miami, breaking Verstappen’s streak. However, with just one victory in his bag, Norris looks like a fierce competitor. The McLaren driver smoothly drove through the wet surface and leapfrogged Russel to end at P2. The decision not to change tyres backfired as Norris could not gain the top spot. Later, Norris voiced his disappointment as he claimed the team was in the perfect position to win the race. However, McLaren’s consistent strides are giving a new shape to the Norris-Verstappen rivalry.
Max Verstappen Assures RB20’s Improvement After Canada Win
Reflecting on his victory at the Canada GP, Max Verstappen expressed confidence in his team’s ability to address weaknesses without impacting other aspects of the car’s performance. He acknowledged the ongoing efforts to rectify these issues, recognizing their significant impact on their performance. Verstappen also looked ahead to upcoming tracks where specific challenges, like aggressive kerbs or bumps, might not be as prevalent, hinting at potential advantages for his team. He noted the variability in performance among teams at different circuits, emphasizing the excitement it brings to the competition.
Aware of the importance of maintaining a solid lead in the championship, Verstappen highlighted the necessity of scoring big points to prevent rivals from closing the gap. Despite this pressure, he remained focused on the primary goal of winning races and maximizing points. Verstappen acknowledged the occasional setback but stressed the team’s collective desire for both cars to consistently perform at the highest level.
