The battle for the F1 2025 World Championship is intensifying as the Canadian Grand Prix promises to deliver another thrilling and pivotal weekend. After a demanding triple-header that ended controversially in Spain, teams and drivers took a two-week break before heading to Montreal, one of the sport’s most iconic circuits.
Max Verstappen faces the real threat of a race ban following a contentious collision with George Russell in Barcelona. He received three penalty points and a 10-second penalty that dropped him to 10th place, bringing his total to 11 out of a maximum 12 penalty points in the past year. This puts Verstappen and Red Bull in a precarious position—he must avoid further penalties in Canada and Austria to prevent a suspension that could severely damage his championship hopes. It will be interesting to observe if this pressure changes his racing style, starting with his media interaction on Thursday.
Lewis Hamilton aims to rebound after a tough Spanish Grand Prix, which he described as his worst race with Ferrari. Despite showing good pace, he slipped from 4th to 7th on track and was later overtaken by teammate Charles Leclerc and Sauber’s Nico Hülkenberg after a safety car. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur noted Hamilton sustained car damage but provided no further details. The Canadian Grand Prix might be the perfect stage for Hamilton, who has historically excelled at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with multiple pole positions and wins. Fans are eager to see if this race will mark a turning point for the seven-time world champion at Ferrari.
Lance Stroll’s status remains uncertain as no updates have been shared since he withdrew from the Spanish Grand Prix due to hand and wrist pain—an injury stemming from a cycling accident two years ago. The surgery, led by renowned MotoGP surgeon Xavier Mir, was followed by recovery details yet to be disclosed. It is expected that Aston Martin will provide an update this week. Should Stroll be unable to race, the team is prepared to call on their reserve drivers, Felipe Drugovich or Stoffel Vandoorne.
An internal rivalry heats up at McLaren, where Oscar Piastri currently leads teammate Lando Norris by 10 points in the championship after a strong performance in Spain. This close battle, with Piastri winning five out of nine races, hints at a potential team showdown for the title. While a minor qualifying incident saw Norris briefly hold pole position over Piastri due to a tow, team principal Andrea Stella called it a “minor episode.” As the season progresses, careful management will be necessary to keep competition within the team friendly and productive.
Mercedes has struggled to maintain early-season form, with George Russell achieving four podiums in the first six races but the team failing to reach the podium since Miami. The recent triple-header proved tough, but cooler weather expected in Montreal could suit the Mercedes W16, which performs well under such conditions. Russell, who secured pole and finished third here last year, has reason to hope for a stronger showing this weekend.
Fan Take: This weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix is crucial, not just for the title contenders but for the teams aiming to reset and revive their campaigns. With Verstappen teetering on the edge of suspension, Hamilton seeking redemption, and fierce intra-team battles heating up, it sets the stage for dramatic racing that could shape the future of the 2025 championship and beyond.
