Max Verstappen says questions on his race ban risk are “p******* me off” forward of the Canadian Grand Prix the place he’ll line up on the entrance row with rival George Russell.
Reigning world champion Verstappen is one penalty level away from triggering a race suspension after he clashed with Russell final outing in Spain.
All through Thursday’s media day in Montreal, Verstappen insisted he is not going to change his strategy however was not eager to debate the subject forward of Sunday’s race, the place the lights will exit at 7pm on Sky Sports activities F1 and Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion.
“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 made to his penalty factors scenario.
“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 current historical past of controversial incidents which can add to the thrill for the Canadian Grand Prix because the pair might get shut on the quick run right down to Flip One, with championship chief Oscar Piastri there to capitalise on any drama in third.
Russell, whose final win got here in November 2024 on the Las Vegas Grand Prix, was 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.”
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George Russell takes a dig at Max Verstappen after beating him to take pole in Montreal
Russell gave a proper reply 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 finest drivers. There is no cause for him to race any in another way. I am not sitting right here pondering he’ll give us extra room, if something, most likely the alternative, to try to show some extent.
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Watch 360 footage of Max Verstappen’s coming along with George Russell in a controversial second in the course of the closing laps of the Spanish Grand Prix
“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 is a busy season as effectively and if you happen to hit a race ban, you get a race ban and also you spend a while at dwelling. It is not excellent however it’s not the top of the world.”
As for Piastri, he obtained the higher of Verstappen at the beginning of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix however misplaced out to Dutchman in Imola.
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Hearken to Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri’s workforce radio conversations after they clashed on the primary nook of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
In Miami, Piastri confirmed his endurance by not taking any dangers in opposition to Verstappen earlier 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 seventh.
“I’m certainly not going to do anything different. I’ll race how I always race.”
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McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris mirror on a difficult begin on the Canadian Grand Prix
What’s going to resolve Sunday’s Canadian GP?
The final time Russell and Verstappen began on the entrance row collectively was the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix when the Purple Bull driver was given a one-place grid penalty for impeding, which led to 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 although, Verstappen simply obtained by Russell at the beginning and went on to win the race which he’ll hope to duplicate on Sunday in Montreal.
“We will try do do the best we can. It’s a long race,” he instructed Sky Sports activities 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.”
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A glance again at a few of the most heated clashes between Purple Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ George Russell
Russell has 4 podiums this yr however is but to face on the highest step as Mercedes haven’t had a practical probability of victory in 2025.
Mercedes have continued their development in F1’s floor impact period of performing higher in cooler situations and Russell thinks even cloud cowl will have an effect on 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.
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Jack Whitehall poked enjoyable at Max Verstappen and George Russell, in reference to their disagreement from the top of final season
“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 is not going to be a straightforward race and, you already know, in fact, obtained some actually fast guys round me. We do not know if it is going to be a one-stop or a two-stop, so it will 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 of us are actually in a championship battle.
“I haven’t had a win this year, so I want to get one on the board. Time will tell.”
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George Russell joins Karun Chandhok on the SkyPad to look again at his pole lap of the Canadian GP
McLaren have endured their most tough weekend of the season to this point however can’t be dominated out of the lead battle, given they’ve gained seven of the 9 races in 2025.
Piastri, working the outdated suspension on his automobile reasonably than the upgraded half on Norris’ automobile, expects to be on the gearbox of Russell and Verstappen.
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Oscar Piastri hit the Wall of Champions in closing observe on Saturday
“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 activities F1’s Canadian GP schedule
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A glance again at a few of the most dramatic moments from the Canadian Grand Prix
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 Pocket book
*additionally on Sky Sports activities Foremost Occasion
The 2025 System 1 season resumes dwell on Sky Sports activities F1 with the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.
