Max Verstappen rules out fight with McLaren in Canada: “I’m only thinking about Ferrari and Mercedes”. Max Verstappen downplays any hopes of challenging McLaren in Canada.

Podium target
Friday in Montreal was a mixed one for Max Verstappen. The Dutch champion topped FP1, finishing a free practice session ahead of everyone for the first time this season, but then slipped back in the time sheets in FP2, ending the second session in ninth place, over half a second behind George Russell’s best time for Mercedes.

Speaking with journalists in Montreal, Max Verstappen was quite clear in outlining his target: to fight, at best, for the podium. “If we could fight for the podium, battling with Ferrari and Mercedes, that would be a good result,” said the Red Bull driver, once again treating McLaren as if they were racing in a different league.

McLaren out of reach
“The McLarens? They’re fast everywhere,” Max Verstappen stated. “I’m not even thinking about them. I’m more focused on the other teams. For example, we know that last year Mercedes was very strong here. I think that compared to last year, they might be even more competitive now. So it’s already going to be tough enough to fight for the podium,” the four-time Formula 1 world champion concluded at the end of the second free practice session for the Canadian Grand Prix, which was held at the 4.361-kilometre Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal on Friday.