Max Verstappen Reveals Red Bull’s Fierce Aggression After Russell Loss

Max Verstappen finished second at the Canadian Grand Prix on June 15, following a strong performance behind George Russell at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Verstappen started the race from second position and maintained that spot until the finish.

Tire wear was a significant issue for the Red Bull team, especially early in the race. This problem led Verstappen and his team to adopt an aggressive pit stop strategy, switching tires earlier than many rivals to gain track position.

This approach required Verstappen to manage his tires carefully during longer stints, putting him at a disadvantage in the middle part of the race. However, he began to find more pace as fuel loads decreased towards the final laps.

Although Verstappen tried to close the gap to Russell, the early pit stops limited his chances. He was unable to get closer than a few seconds to the leading Mercedes.

After the race, Verstappen said the team got the most out of what was possible that day. He noted the car struggled with tire grip in the first two stints but improved as fuel levels dropped.

Verstappen described their strategy as both attacking and defending—aggressive in their approach while also fending off drivers from behind. He praised the car’s handling in the final stint but acknowledged that second place was the best they could achieve under the circumstances.

Red Bull contested George Russell’s win, raising concerns about his driving during a safety car period. Officials reviewed the claims but dismissed the protest, confirming Russell’s victory.

This decision kept Verstappen in second place and narrowed the gap to Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ standings. Piastri leads with 198 points, 43 ahead of Verstappen, who is third.

The championship standings tightened after Montreal. Lando Norris is second with 176 points, Verstappen third with 155, and Russell fourth with 136 points.

McLaren leads the team competition with 374 points, while Red Bull has 162 points following the Canadian Grand Prix. Red Bull continues to hunt for more podium finishes.

Looking ahead to Austria on June 29, Verstappen and Red Bull will aim to improve their tire performance. The Canadian race outcome has raised the stakes for both driver and team in the upcoming rounds.