Max Verstappen believes Red Bull “can do better” despite the Dutchman taking his first podium of the season during the Canadian Grand Prix, calling his third-place finish “a great result”.
The four-time World Champion enjoyed his best Grands Prix of the season so far, running second for much of the 68-lap race in Montreal before losing the position to Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari in the closing laps.
Verstappen’s charge to the podium was helped by the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri starting on the intermediate tyre for rain that never materialised, while George Russell’s Mercedes retired due to a power unit issue.
“I would say a little bit of a surprise but at the same time you have to look at it,” said Verstappen when asked if he was satisfied with his first podium of the campaign.
“The two McLaren cars made a mess of the strategy starting on the inters, so that helps, and then of course, George’s car gave up, so that also helps to be on the podium.
“But for us, it’s still a great result. We’re battling with the Ferrari, not too far off the Mercedes, it’s just on the second stint on the medium we were just lacking a bit of grip. It was just not really working for us so that’s something that we need to understand but nevertheless, on the podium is positive.”
Despite being helped by the misfortune of others, Verstappen and Red Bull looked more competitive in the race having sorted out car issues from Qualifying that left Verstappen only P6.
“I think now the last two weekends we have been a lot closer,” added Verstappen
“Before we were fighting with the midfield, now we’re fighting close to the front so in that sense we made some really positive steps forward, but I also know we can do better and that’s what we’ll focus on.”
