Former team boss Peter Windsor highlights Max Verstappen’s brilliance in Canada. “A second faster than the rest!” he reveals on his YouTube channel after Friday practice and Sprint Qualifying – In his detailed assessment of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Windsor highlighted an alternative pecking order in practice and sprint qualifying, while also pointing to standout pace from Max Verstappen.
The analyst praised the Dutchman’s raw speed and long-run performance, questioned the representativeness of George Russell’s sprint pole, and noted the growing pressure on teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Despite Mercedes locking out the front row in sprint qualifying, on his YouTube channel, Windsor believes the underlying picture is more complex than the headline result suggests.
Practice session reveals early hierarchy in Canada
Windsor began his review with the sole practice session of the sprint weekend, describing it as the most revealing part of Friday’s proceedings. Mercedes immediately looked competitive, with Antonelli and Russell topping the timesheets in a session that hinted at the W16 package’s strong one-lap potential.
“Free practice was interesting, given it’s a sprint weekend. Mercedes finished first and second, with Antonelli ahead of Russell on a ‘George’ circuit'” Windsor explained on YouTube, referencing Russell’s comments earlier in the season about tracks that suit his driving style.
He also noted Ferrari and McLaren’s progress further down the order, pointing out that Lewis Hamilton was ahead of Charles Leclerc in the early stages, while McLaren prioritised new parts validation over outright performance.
However, it was Red Bull’s early pace that stood out the most.
“Red Bull looked impressive,” said Windsor, before highlighting Verstappen’s immediate impact on the timing screens. “Max was a second faster than anyone else in the first fast laps,” he added, stressing the scale of the advantage on a low-grip surface.
Windsor also emphasised Verstappen’s long-run execution, noting a 13-lap race simulation in which he remained consistent despite making a few minor errors mid-stint. In his view, that was one of the most important indicators of the entire session.
Would you like to see more TJ13 Formula 1 coverage? Add us to your favourites list on Google to receive trusted F1 news.
Sprint qualifying delivers order but raises questions about Russell
When the focus turned to sprint qualifying, Windsor described the session as predictable and somewhat underwhelming in terms of spectacle, with the teams broadly aligning in the expected performance groups.
“The sprint qualifying was a bit of an anticlimax, as everyone lined up in a neat row: two Mercedes, followed by two McLarens, two Ferraris and two Red Bulls,” he said.
Despite the orderly outcome, intra-team battles provided more insight. Russell ultimately secured pole position for the sprint ahead of Antonelli, but Windsor questioned the significance of the margin.
“Russell made his mark by beating Kimi Antonelli, who was very quick. He’s right behind George on the front row,” he said, before offering a more cautious interpretation of the gap.
In his view, the difference of just 0.068 seconds raises broader questions about internal competitiveness.
“If George Russell feels very comfortable on this circuit, then we can look to the championship. Canada may be an indication that Antonelli is competitive even on a circuit where George Russell feels comfortable,” he said.
“So that’s very good of Kimi.”
Antonelli’s progress is further underlined by his growing points advantage within the team, adding another layer to Mercedes’ evolving driver dynamic.
McLaren had an inconsistent morning before making a strong recovery
Windsor also assessed the performances of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, describing McLaren’s Friday as mixed but ultimately encouraging despite early setbacks.
“McLaren had a messy morning, but ultimately performed well,” he noted.
The team’s upgraded package required significant adjustment throughout the sessions, with both drivers experimenting extensively in practice before achieving a more consistent performance in sprint qualifying.
Despite their recovery, McLaren still trailed Mercedes by roughly three tenths in the final classification. Norris and Piastri therefore remain in a competitive but slightly secondary position heading into race day. Windsor suggested that optimisation, rather than outright pace, remains their key challenge.
Verstappen’s pace stood out across the sessions
Windsor reserved his strongest praise for Verstappen, describing his performance in both practice and sprint preparation as exceptional.
“Behind the two Ferraris, we find the two Red Bulls. I thought Max Verstappen was very impressive on Friday morning,” he said.
“He was a second faster than anyone else when the track wasn’t offering any grip. A second faster than anyone else!”
Windsor also highlighted Verstappen’s race simulation as a potential strategic advantage. The 13-lap stint provided valuable insight into tyre behaviour and fuel load management, which rivals were unable to replicate fully during the same session.
“This gives him an idea of how the car will feel during the race,” Windsor explained.
“It’s possible that his single-lap pace was affected by the fact that he did less set-up work ahead of qualifying.”
He suggested that this trade-off may have cost grid positions, but could benefit Red Bull’s performance on Sunday, particularly on a circuit where overtaking opportunities are present and energy management is key.
Hadjar’s progress and a note of caution for Red Bull
Also highlighted is Isack Hadjar as a positive story within the Red Bull camp, describing his recovery from recent challenging weekends as a sign of stabilisation.
“Isack Hadjar also did very well after a few difficult weekends,” he said. “He came back and is where he should be, namely just behind Max.”
The minimal gap between the two Red Bull drivers reinforced the team’s improved internal consistency compared to earlier phases of the season.
However, Windsor also issued a warning not to overinterpret Verstappen’s overall dominance. He noted that Red Bull’s preparation included two practice starts, one from the pit lane and one from the grid, both of which revealed sluggish initial acceleration.
“However, we shouldn’t get too carried away,” he cautioned.
“Max did two practice starts… He was still very slow in the first few metres.”
Despite upgrades and an encouraging long-run pace, Windsor concluded that Red Bull are still refining their package rather than operating at full strength. Progress is evident, but the competitive picture in Canada remains finely balanced heading into race day.
Would you like to see more TJ13 Formula 1 coverage? Add us to your favourites list on Google to receive trusted F1 news.
Alex Stanton is a Formula 1 journalist at TJ13 with a focus on the financial and commercial dynamics that underpin the sport. Alex contributes reporting and analysis on team ownership structures, sponsorship trends, and the evolving business model of Formula 1.
At TJ13, Alex covers topics including manufacturer investment, cost cap implications, and the strategic direction of teams navigating an increasingly complex financial environment. Alex’s work often examines how commercial decisions translate into on-track performance and long-term competitiveness.
With a strong interest in the intersection of sport and business, Alex provides context around Formula 1’s global growth, including media rights, expansion markets, and manufacturer influence.
Alex’s reporting aims to explain the financial realities behind headline stories, helping readers understand how money, governance, and strategy shape the competitive order in Formula 1.
