Max Verstappen secured P3 at the 2026 F1 Canadian GP to deliver Red Bull’s first podium of the season. The four-time World Champion finished behind race winner Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton, who overtook Verstappen with seven laps remaining after a prolonged battle through the final stint.
The race was shaped by a pre-race weather gamble that backfired on McLaren, who started both cars on intermediate tyres while the rest of the field chose slicks. With Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri falling down the order early, and George Russell retiring with a power unit failure on lap 30, Verstappen found himself in a strong position to challenge for the podium in Montreal.
Verstappen reflects on his battles and Red Bull’s first podium at the Canadian GP
Speaking during the post-race interviews, Verstappen described his afternoon at the 2026 F1 Canadian GP as one of genuine satisfaction.
“Yeah, I think so. I had some cool battles out there. Racing back up front is always better, right? And for us to have our first podium, of course, is really positive. Very happy with that,” he stated.
The late battle with Hamilton was a highlight of the race for Verstappen. He pushed hard to defend position even as Hamilton closed up in the final laps.
“Cool battle with Lewis as well at the end. So, yeah, we just kept pushing to the line and on a weekend where it’s not that easy to get things right, for us to be on the podium here is extremely positive. So naturally, very happy with that.”
Verstappen on what Red Bull needs to close the gap
With Mercedes clearly the favourite across the opening rounds of the 2026 F1 season, Verstappen was asked what Red Bull need to do to challenge the Mercedes and Ferraris ahead of them. His answer was measured and direct.
“Keep working and improving better than our competition. That’s the target. But we’ll see over the coming races what we can do.”
Verstappen reflects on late battle with Hamilton at the Canadian GP
In the post-race press conference, Verstappen elaborated on his wheel-to-wheel fight with Lewis Hamilton. The energy management dynamics under the 2026 regulations made the battle particularly interesting, as closing within one second allowed both drivers to spend more energy and push harder on the straights.
“Yeah, it was very good. I enjoyed it a lot. I think also when you are within a second at this track, we are very energy poor around here, and of course when you are within a second, you’re allowed to spend a bit more energy, so then on the straights of course you gain a bit of speed and around here that is very efficient actually.”
Despite losing the position to Hamilton in the closing stages, Verstappen was satisfied with how he approached the fight. He also noted a personal milestone that added to the satisfaction of the result.
“So yeah, the last few laps I tried to get back, but it was good. I mean, we’re pushing flat out and, yeah, was just very nice for me. Also, I think it’s my first race where I basically had a normal race, nothing crazy happened, so that’s also nice,” he stated.
Verstappen on Red Bull’s pace throughout the F1 Canadian GP weekend
Asked to assess the car’s performance across the race and reflect on the weekend as a whole, Verstappen gave an honest appraisal. He admitted the result was partly a product of circumstances as much as outright pace.
“Yeah, I think, well, to be honest, I was feeling better in Miami with the car, so I’m a little bit surprised with being on the podium here,” Verstappen stated.
Verstappen was candid about the factors that worked in Red Bull’s favour.
“But you also have to look at it with George retiring, McLarens making a mess of the strategy. So, for me to be here, of course I’m very happy.”
The tyre situation played a significant role in his afternoon. Verstappen felt comfortable on the soft compound but struggled to find consistent grip on the mediums.
“I think on the softs we’re a little bit more competitive and then on the medium I never really felt like I could switch on the tyre, so the tyre was just not in the right window for us, and that stint was then a little bit more difficult to feel any kind of grip.”
Despite the tyre difficulties, Verstappen was proud of how the team managed the race in demanding conditions.
“But we still did a good job. I think for us to have our first podium is just very positive and, of course, very pleased with that in quite tricky conditions, I would say,” he stated.
Verstappen gives blunt verdict on McLaren’s tyre gamble
When asked about McLaren’s decision to start the 2026 F1 Canadian GP on intermediates while the rest of the field chose slicks, Verstappen’s reaction was brief and characteristically blunt. He had nothing but appreciation for the call that helped clear the way ahead of him.
“You bet. That was a great call. I was like, ‘Thank you,'” Verstappen concluded.
Verstappen’s P3 finish at the 2026 F1 Canadian GP marks a significant step forward for Red Bull after a difficult start to the season. With their first podium now on the board, the team heads into the next round with renewed confidence.
