Verstappen vs. Russell: F1 analyst predicts potential Red Bull woes at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve

15:26, 15 Jun

byKada Sarkozi

According to F1 analyst Peter Windsor, Max Verstappen might have to deal with an issue at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, as no circuit on the calendar punishes brake problems as much as this does.

The RB21 is far from the perfect car, having had problems with its balance, tyre management and brakes as well. This weekend, the latter one seems to be the biggest issue, as Verstappen often mentioned over the team radio in the free practice sessions.

"Red Bull seemed always to have something going on," Windsor began in his analysis on his YouTube channel.

"Max began the session by saying the steering felt strange, it was much heavier than it should have felt. And then on top of that he was complaining this morning that the brakes didn't have the same feel, the same edge to them, that they sometimes have."

Max Verstappen has been reporting problems all weekend in Canada.

Recurring brake issues at Red Bull

According to the Australian, he has 'lost count' of how many times did he hear Verstappen mentioning he has issues with how his brakes feel.

"And of course that could well be an issue in the race tomorrow. There's probably no harder circuit on the calendar than Canada for brakes. And normally if everything's working and they got all the temperatures right and the drums are doing their job no issues."

He continued: "But if anything is slightly off Canada is the circuit that's going to penalise you. So it'll be interesting to see how the Red Bull goes tomorrow. If he's behind George I suspect Max will have some brake issues."

Max Verstappen starts on Sunday from P2, next to George Russell.

Verstappen vs. Russell in Turn 1

There is no love lost between the two drivers who will start from the front row of the grid this Sunday.

Looking ahead to the first corners and the battle between Russell and Verstappen, Windsor says: "George and Max into Turn 1, into Turn 2..., it will be interesting to see how they go with tyre wear as well and tyre management. Obviously whoever's in front is going to be at an is going to have an advantage in terms of tyre management and that most likely will be George I imagine."

While Windsor expects Russell having a good start, he does see a way Verstappen can get into the lead. "I can't see him making a a slow start. But equally it's a relatively short run from the start finish line down to the turning point of Turn 1, and Max is going to be on the inside there. So if George has any sort of wheel spin drama it's going to be Max Verstappen in front."

This article was written in collaboration with Kimberley Hoefnagel