Max remains P7 after eventful sprint race in Canada: 'It can only get better'

Published on 23 May 2026 by Misha van der Kroon

Max Verstappen was unable to make up ground during the sprint race for the Canadian Grand Prix. The Dutchman struggled with a bouncing car throughout the race and ultimately crossed the line in seventh place, the same position from which he started. At the front, there was intense battling for the podium positions: Kimi Antonelli repeatedly challenged leader George Russell, but also lost out to Lando Norris after several intense fights. In the end, Russell came out on top to win the sprint ahead of Norris and Antonelli.

The sprint race in Canada was far from enjoyable for Max, who spent most of the race running in no man’s land while once again struggling with a bouncing car. “We already knew after sprint qualifying that we have that issue, and after qualifying you can’t touch the car anymore,” he explained. “So really you just want to survive that sprint race and then hope you can improve the car for qualifying.”

According to Max, the issue is a familiar one: “It’s a known problem with the car, sometimes it’s worse than others. This time it was really extreme,” he said. “The car is very difficult over the bumps. It’s really uncomfortable to drive.”

Looking ahead to qualifying later today, Max hopes that the right adjustments can help turn things around. “We’re going to make some changes, because this is really difficult to drive,” he said. Asked whether a top-five result is achievable, Max replied: “If we improve the car a bit, yes. We can’t make it worse, that’s for sure. We can only make it better.”

The third sprint race of the season gets underway in temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius, with the track temperature at 31 degrees. Four drivers start from the pit lane after breaching parc fermé regulations: Alexander Albon, Pierre Gasly, Oliver Bearman and Valtteri Bottas. When the lights go out, the frontrunners all make clean starts. The top three remain unchanged. Lewis Hamilton gains a position to move into P4. Max holds onto seventh place and stays closely behind Charles Leclerc.

At the front, Russell and Antonelli give Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff a few nervous moments early on. Antonelli launches an attack on his teammate, but Russell defends firmly, forcing the young Italian briefly off track. A few corners later, Antonelli tries again and runs through the grass. Lando Norris takes full advantage, snatching second place from Antonelli, who reacts with audible frustration over the team radio.

Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar, who started from P8, drops further and further back. The Frenchman reports engine issues and is eventually pushed backwards into the garage. A short while later he is able to rejoin the race, although by then he is more than a lap down.

Over the radio, Max reports that his car is bouncing heavily. He is unable to close the gap to Leclerc. The Monegasque driver is hunting down Oscar Piastri, who is running close behind Hamilton. The battle at the front also remains intense, with Antonelli staying within striking distance of Norris, while Norris continues to pile the pressure on leader Russell.

Fernando Alonso becomes the first retirement of the day, parking his AMR26 in the pit lane. Nico Hülkenberg also suffers misfortune. He is handed a ten-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. Max briefly comes under investigation for a potential infringement under yellow flags, but the investigation is quickly withdrawn.

Antonelli continues to attack relentlessly. During another attempt to pass Norris, he once again runs off track. Rejoining via the run-off area, he is instructed to hand the position back to the McLaren driver. Leclerc has more success further behind, overtaking teammate Hamilton to claim fifth place.

Out front, Russell holds firm. The Mercedes driver wins the sprint race ahead of Norris, while Antonelli crosses the line in third. The young Italian once again voices his frustration over the radio after the finish, but Toto Wolff immediately steps in, making clear that the incident will be discussed later. Verstappen ultimately finishes the sprint race in the same position in which he started: P7.

Results sprint race Canada: