Max Verstappen: "We can try to get involved"

Max Verstappen was happy to make the best of a bad situation yesterday in Montreal. The young Dutchman set his RB13 in fifth place for today's race, occupying the third row with teammate Daniel Ricciardo. 

Red Bull was expecting to struggle this weekend, due to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve being a power sensitive track. The Renault power unit that launches Red Bull down straights has been lacking in top speed compared to Mercedes and Ferrari.

"We know that this circuit is not our favourite and doesn’t particularly suit us so P5 was the best we could aim for, we achieved that so I’m pleased with the result. Ferrari and Mercedes are able to turn their engines up and find that extra pace; we can’t do that at the moment.

Red Bull can get involved

Verstappen pointed out that the front runners won't be able to run in a high engine mode for the whole duration of the race: "During the race the engine power difference is slightly less as they cannot run at that level for an entire race, this means we can try to get involved and make ground. I think our race pace looks ok for tomorrow, if we can keep fifth that is the first goal, then we can see what happens in front of us.

"We are constantly working hard to improve the car, working towards having the best car in the field, so this means constant development. The upgrades we have got this weekend have worked really well which proves we are going in the right direction. It is hard to show that progress in Qualifying, and at a tough track with long straights, but we are definitely improving."

Fergal Walsh