Max Verstappen says he will not change his strategy regardless of being on the verge of a race ban forward of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.
Verstappen was given two penalty factors for his collision with George Russell final day trip in Spain which suggests he has 11 penalty factors on his tremendous licence from the final 12 months.
If a driver reaches 12 penalty factors over a rolling one-year interval, they’re banned for the subsequent occasion. Because the penalty system was launched in 2014, solely Kevin Magnussen in 2024 has been suspended for reaching the dozen factors marker.
Verstappen will lose two penalty factors after the Austrian Grand Prix on the finish of June, however might want to come by this weekend’s race in Montreal, then the Austria occasion, unscathed.
“It is there proper? There’s nothing you are able to do about it. We simply focus forward, attempt to do the very best you may each single time. It is not (about) altering my strategy,” he informed Sky Sports activities F1.
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George Russell admitted he was ‘shocked’ that Max Verstappen took accountability for his or her collision on the Spanish Grand Prix
Verstappen added to the written media when requested a few change of strategy: “I do not know, why ought to I?
“I am unable to simply again out of all the pieces. I will race how I do. I belief myself.”
Earlier on Thursday’s media day in Montreal, Mercedes driver Russell stated {that a} race ban for Verstappen could be justified, ought to the Dutchman driver attain the 12 penalty factors whole.
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The F1 Present podcast panel whether or not Max Verstappen’s 10-second penalty for his controversial hit on George Russell on the Spanish Grand Prix was right
Russell says he’ll “proceed racing precisely the identical means” towards Verstappen, who will not be anxious about his rivals being aggressive with him, understanding he cannot afford to be penalised.
Verstappen, trailing championship chief Oscar Piastri by 49 factors, says he is “not anxious” a few race suspension.
He stated: “What’s truthful? I imply, is it truthful that I am solely 11 factors? I do not know, however on the similar time, life will not be truthful, when you take a look at it like that.
“I simply come right here to race and I’ll all the time race laborious, race how I believe I ought to race, after which we go on to the subsequent race.”
F1 drivers’ present penalty factors
Driver Factors Max Verstappen 11 Liam Liam 6 Nico Hulkenberg 4 Oscar Plastri 4 Oliver Bearman 4 Lando Norris 3 Lance Stroll 3 Carlos Sainz 2 Fernando Alonso 2 Franco Colapinto 2 Alex Albon 2 George Russell 1 Eight Drivers 0
Verstappen: It was not laborious to place out assertion
On the Monday after the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen accepted he was at fault for the conflict with Russell and Christian Horner stated he apologised to the group.
The Dutchman was not eager to speak in regards to the incidents on the Sunday post-race and insists it was “not laborious” to place out an announcement.
“I used to be sharing my view of issues, how I believed that race panned out. It was not excellent for me. That was my assertion, then I went again to having fun with my day.”
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Following Max Verstappen’s collision with George Russell final day trip in Spain, relive among the Dutchman’s most controversial encounters throughout his Formulation 1 profession to this point
Verstappen was on target to complete third behind the 2 McLarens in Spain till a Security Automotive for Kimi Antonelli’s stricken Mercedes bunched the sphere collectively.
Crimson Bull put Verstappen on laborious tyres, since that they had no different new tyres, whereas everybody else within the prime 10 was on softs.
Verstappen had a giant snap of oversteer on the restart out of the final nook and was overtaken by Charles Leclerc, who briefly made contact with him. Russell additionally tried to get by at Flip 1 however the pair touched and Verstappen lower the chicane to maintain fourth place.
All this mixed led to Verstappen’s growing frustration which culminated in him being informed to let Russell by, which Crimson Bull didn’t must do after the stewards deemed the Crimson Bull driver did nothing unsuitable on the first chicane.
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Carlos Sainz discusses whether or not the Canadian GP will likely be as heated because the Spanish GP after the heated scenario between Max Verstappen and George Russell
“It was only a very irritating few laps in a row. I acquired pushed into within the straight after I nearly crashed already with these laborious tyres,” Verstappen defined.
“Then I acquired pushed into in Flip 1, then they inform me that I’ve to present the place again. I am like, ‘that is senseless’, so it was like numerous issues that simply got here collectively.
“It was a misjudgement clearly within the nook. However you do not want to enter full element of why, how and what. Everybody makes errors in life. Everybody learns from them and we simply transfer on.”
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Watch 360 footage of Max Verstappen’s coming along with George Russell in a controversial second through the ultimate laps of the Spanish Grand Prix
Verstappen focusing on podium in Canada
Verstappen has gained the final three Canadian Grand Prix however McLaren will likely be favourites as soon as once more after their spectacular season up to now.
Crimson Bull have been comparatively weak on tracks which have plenty of low-speed corners and over bumps, which the latter is a serious function on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
“If we will combat for a podium, preventing with Ferrari, Mercedes, I believe that already could be achievement,” stated Verstappen.
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Max Verstappen says he won’t change his strategy to racing in Canada regardless of being one level off a race ban
“McLaren go quick all over the place. It is not even in my head. I am extra targeted on the opposite groups.
“I do know that final yr, for instance, Mercedes was very robust right here. I believe when you examine final yr to now, I believe perhaps they’re extra aggressive as nicely. Will probably be laborious sufficient, I believe, to already combat for a podium.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Canadian GP schedule
Friday June 13
4pm: F1 Academy Follow One
6pm: Canadian GP Follow One (session begins at 6.30pm)
8pm: The F1 Present
9pm: Crew Principals’ Press Convention
9.30pm: Canadian GP Follow Two (session begins at 10pm)
11.25pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
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A glance again at among the most dramatic moments from the Canadian Grand Prix
Saturday June 14
2.10pm: F1 Academy Race One
5.15pm: Canadian GP Follow Three (session begins at 5.30pm)
7.30pm: F1 Academy Race Two
8.30pm: Canadian GP Qualifying build-up
9pm: CANADIAN GP QUALIFYING
11pm: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book
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 Essential Occasion
The 2025 Formulation 1 season resumes stay on Sky Sports activities F1 with the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime.
