Canadian GP: Max Verstappen hits out at race ban communicate as George Russell teases Montreal entrance row rival

Max Verstappen says questions on his race ban risk are “p******* me off” forward of the Canadian Grand Prix the place he’s going to line up at the entrance row with rival George Russell.

Reigning international champion Verstappen is one penalty level clear of triggering a race suspension after he clashed with Russell closing day trip in Spain.

Throughout Thursday’s media day in Montreal, Verstappen insisted he’s going to no longer exchange his means however was once no longer prepared to talk about the subject forward of Sunday’s race, the place the lighting will pass out at 7pm on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event.

“I don’t need to hear it again. It’s really pissing me off,” mentioned Verstappen within the press convention after qualifying when reference was once made to his penalty issues state of affairs.

“I mean, you were speaking about it on Thursday. It’s such a waste of time. It’s very childish, so that’s why I also don’t want to say too much because it’s really annoying this world that we live in.”

Verstappen and pole-sitter Russell have a contemporary historical past of debatable incidents which is able to upload to the joy for the Canadian Grand Prix because the pair may get shut at the quick run all the way down to Turn One, with championship chief Oscar Piastri there to capitalise on any drama in 3rd.

Russell, whose closing win got here in November 2024 on the Las Vegas Grand Prix, was once fast to take a dig at Verstappen in his on-track interview on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

He mentioned: “I’ve got a few more points on my licence to play with! Let’s see.”

Russell gave a proper solution to the media in a while and says Verstappen “has got more to lose than I have”.

“I don’t think any driver goes out looking to crash into somebody and get penalty points on your licence,” he added.

“Max is among the highest drivers. There’s no explanation why for him to race any otherwise. I’m no longer sitting right here considering he will give us more space, if anything else, most probably the other, to check out and turn out some extent.

“I’ll be keeping an eye, but ultimately, we’re all here to win. You’re not going to do something that’s going to jeopardise yourself from the race.

“It’s a hectic season as smartly and in case you hit a race ban, you get a race ban and also you spend a while at house. It’s no longer supreme however it isn’t the top of the arena.”

As for Piastri, he were given the simpler of Verstappen originally of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix however misplaced out to Dutchman in Imola.

In Miami, Piastri confirmed his endurance via no longer taking any dangers in opposition to Verstappen sooner than getting his rival out of place to take the lead which set him as much as win the race.

“For me, I’m not going to race any differently. I’m not going to take any less risk, any more risk,” mentioned Piastri, who has a chance to increase his 10-point lead over Lando Norris who begins 7th.

“I’m certainly not going to do anything different. I’ll race how I always race.”

What will make a decision Sunday’s Canadian GP?

The closing time Russell and Verstappen began at the entrance row in combination was once the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix when the Red Bull driving force was once given a one-place grid penalty for impeding, which resulted in their public feud in Abu Dhabi. Russell claimed Verstappen instructed him “I’m going to put you on your f***ing head in the wall” within the stewards’ room.

In Qatar even though, Verstappen simply were given via Russell originally and went directly to win the race which he’s going to hope to copy on Sunday in Montreal.

“We will try do do the best we can. It’s a long race,” he instructed Sky Sports F1.

“A lot of unknowns with the tyres, how they will hold up. So hopefully we will be good on the tyres and manage it well.”

Russell has 4 podiums this 12 months however is but to face at the best step as Mercedes have no longer had a practical likelihood of victory in 2025.

Mercedes have persisted their development in F1’s flooring impact technology of acting higher in cooler prerequisites and Russell thinks even cloud quilt will impact their race tempo.

“We had good race pace on Friday, but it depends on the temperature. In practice, it was five degrees cooler than it was in qualifying, and the car was easily in its sweet spot,” he defined.

“Now, it can easily go the other way in the race. If the sun comes out, it’s a 2pm race, it was a 4pm qualifying. That makes quite a bit of difference.

“So, it isn’t going to be a very easy race and, , after all, were given some in reality fast guys round me. We do not know if it is going to be a one-stop or a two-stop, so it would possibly not be easy.”

Asked whether he would be aggressive against Verstappen at the start, Russell said: “We’re each preventing for the win right here, and neither folks are in reality in a championship combat.

“I haven’t had a win this year, so I want to get one on the board. Time will tell.”

McLaren have persisted their maximum tough weekend of the season to this point however can’t be dominated out of the lead combat, given they have got received seven of the 9 races in 2025.

Piastri, working the outdated suspension on his automobile slightly than the upgraded section on Norris’ automobile, expects to be at the gearbox of Russell and Verstappen.

“Friday didn’t look great in any run, but I certainly feel more comfortable now than I did this in final practice and Friday,” mentioned the championship chief.

“Our pace on race days is generally where we’re strong. These two [Verstappen and Russell] next to me were very quick in the race runs on Friday, so it’s certainly not going to be a slam dunk win, but I think we’re definitely in the fight.

Sky Sports F1’s Canadian GP time table

Sunday June 15
3.50pm: F1 Academy Race Three
5.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Canadian GP build-up*
7pm: THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX*
9pm: Chequered Flag: Canadian GP response
10pm: Ted’s Notebook

*additionally on Sky Sports Main Event

The 2025 Formula 1 season resumes continue to exist Sky Sports F1 with the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.