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Max Verstappen has set out a clear request for his Red Bull team after a demanding race weekend in Canada. The Dutch driver believes that Red Bull must focus on winning more races consistently if they want to challenge McLaren in the fight for the Formula 1 World Championship.
Verstappen finished second behind Mercedes driver George Russell at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. This result reduced his deficit to the championship leader, Oscar Piastri, to 43 points after Piastri took fourth place.
Although it was a rare off-weekend for McLaren, with Lando Norris retiring after late race contact with Piastri, Verstappen remains realistic about the gap he needs to close.
Verstappen told reporters that simply having the occasional good result is not enough. He believes Red Bull must make their car faster to compete at the front each race weekend.
According to Verstappen, McLaren has shown exceptional performance since the start of the season and has set the standard that other teams are striving to reach. He described McLaren’s progress as “quite extraordinary,” making them the clear favorites for the championship.
Despite Red Bull’s efforts and some recent upgrades, Verstappen is uncertain if the improvements will be enough to change the direction of the season.
Much of Verstappen’s confidence in Montreal came after a strong showing in practice. He was fastest in the opening session on Friday, the first time he has topped a session all year.
In previous races, Fridays had been a struggle, with Verstappen often working late to adjust the car for Saturday. This improvement set a better tone for qualifying and the race, but Verstappen was quick to say the car still needs development to be consistently competitive, especially on different types of tracks ahead.
Consistency is top of mind for Verstappen. He highlighted that his team needs to start every weekend in a strong position to keep the pressure on rivals like McLaren.
While McLaren had a down race in Canada, Verstappen knows that their pace throughout the year has made them hard to challenge. Heading into a stretch of important races, Verstappen’s message to Red Bull is clear: more performance is necessary if he wants to close the championship gap.
After nine rounds, the championship standings reflect McLaren’s strength. Oscar Piastri leads with 198 points, followed by Lando Norris on 176, and Verstappen sits third with 155.
George Russell’s win in Montreal consolidated his position with 136 points for Mercedes, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounds out the top five. Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda and Verstappen have kept their team fourth in the Constructors’ standings, but the numerical gap to McLaren is sizable.
The next four races will be key for all teams. The season continues with the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring on June 29, before the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on July 6.
The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps is set for July 27, and the Hungarian Grand Prix takes place on August 3. Each event gives Verstappen and Red Bull a new chance to improve their pace and cut into McLaren’s lead.
Verstappen’s push for better performance will define Red Bull’s 2025 campaign. The team’s ability to deliver upgrades and maintain progress against McLaren’s rapid development will shape the rest of the season.
With only 21 points now separating Verstappen from Norris in second, every race will matter as the fight for the drivers’ championship heads toward the summer.
John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.