San Francisco Frontiers - Verstappen seeks record fourth Canada win and trouble-free weekend

The four-time world champion goes into Sunday's race knowing that, if he collects one more penalty point on his racing license, he will automatically miss the Austrian Grand Prix later this month.

That, according to his great mentor, Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko, "would be a catastrophe".

"He mustn't do anything wrong over the next two weekends and, of course, he will be told not to do anything rash," the Austrian told speedweek.com.

The 27-year-old, who lies third in the drivers' championship with 137 points, behind leader Oscar Piastri on 186 and his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris on 176, was penalised at the Spanish Grand Prix for ramming into George Russell's Mercedes.

"He admitted it was a deliberate action that "should not have happened" following the race, won with supreme self-control by Piastri, but now must survive two Grands Prix without incident before the points total on his license is reduced.

"Barcelona was disappointing for us," admitted Verstappen. "Although we gave it everything, it was not the way we would have liked the race to turn out...

"We are looking forward to Canada –- the track is unique, has some old school kerbs and plenty of opportunities for overtaking."

For Verstappen, the return to a high-speed circuit where brakes are tested to the limit may be welcome as he and Red Bull seek to slow runaway leaders McLaren in the title race.

- Winless Mercedes -

Mercedes and Ferrari will also hope for encouragement at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve where a big crowd is likely to give home hope Lance Stroll support as he returns after a medical procedure to reduce wrist and hand pain.

Mercedes technical boss James Allison said: "It's a track where we've tended to go well in the past and I'm looking forward to it. We have a few new bits to take and we'll see how we get on."

The Silver Arrows are winless since the Las Vegas Grand Prix last year while McLaren, remarkably given their current supremacy, have not won in Canada since 2012 when seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton claimed one of his seven wins at the venue, a record that he shares with Michael Schumacher.

Ferrari, always well-supported by the knowledgeable and passionate crowd, last won in Montreal in 2018, but will need a swing in fortune to secure another success, although the circuit has always been a favourite for Hamilton, who claimed his maiden win there in 2007.

However, Hamilton arrives in Canada without a single podium finish this year and in need of a boost as he struggles with his car amid much paddock debate about the wisdom of his decision to leave Mercedes, where he won six of his seven world titles.

For the 40-year-old Briton, it is not yet a crisis –- he retains total support from Ferrari and team boss Fred Vasseur –- but after nine of the 24 races this year, a long way from being a success.

The American Haas team will mark their 200th race by switching to a grey livery that recalls their original colours in 2016.

R.Baker--SFF