Max Verstappen calls for Red Bull investigation as George Russell bounces back

Max Verstappen has called for Red Bull to investigate the handling problems that made his RB22 “jump” during Sprint qualifying at the Canadian Grand Prix, where he could only manage seventh place. George Russell responded to recent struggles by edging out Kimi Antonelli for pole position, with Mercedes locking out the front row and building a three-tenth gap over McLaren and Ferrari.

Why it matters:

Verstappen’s uncharacteristic setback adds to growing concerns about Red Bull’s recent form, while Mercedes’ sudden surge suggests the championship picture could tighten. A strong Sprint and race result for the Silver Arrows would signal a genuine shift in competitive order.

The details:

• Verstappen reported his “feet flying” inside the cockpit during the session, describing the car as unpredictable over bumps and curbs.
• He ended SQ3 in P7, the first time he has missed the top three in Sprint qualifying this season, and called on the team to “investigate the cause” before the race.
• George Russell’s pole lap was just 0.045s quicker than Antonelli’s, with Mercedes showing improved traction and rear stability – a direct result of recent updates.
• Both Mercedes cars ran without major issue through the three sessions, while McLaren and Ferrari struggled to extract peak performance from their tyres.
• The session ran with only 20 cars after a heavy crash in FP1 forced a withdrawal and left the field shaken.

What's next:

Red Bull face a tight window to diagnose and fix the jumping issue before the Sprint race. If unresolved, Verstappen could lose further ground in the drivers’ championship. Meanwhile, Mercedes will aim to convert their qualifying pace into a Sprint win, which would be their first of the season and a major confidence boost for the team.