Verstappen Blames Pedal Problems After Difficult Canadian GP Sprint… read more 👇 full details in the comments section
endured another frustrating chapter in what has become a difficult Formula 1 season after suffering unusual problems during sprint qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver, already struggling for results in 2026, revealed that his feet were repeatedly slipping off the pedals during the session in Montreal, making it impossible for him to deliver a clean lap.
Fresh from disappointment at the Nürburgring 24 Hours — where his Mercedes entry broke down while leading — Verstappen returned to F1 hoping for a more competitive weekend at the . Instead, the four-time world champion found himself battling both his car and an unusual technical issue that left him down in seventh place for Saturday’s sprint race.
The Dutchman finished half a second behind pole-sitter during sprint qualifying at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Although Verstappen still managed to outperform team-mate by a tenth of a second, it was another disappointing outcome for a driver used to fighting at the very front.
Throughout qualifying, Verstappen appeared competitive in individual sectors but failed to combine them into one strong lap. Small mistakes and inconsistencies repeatedly cost him valuable time, something that rarely happens when the Red Bull star is at his best.
Speaking after the session, Verstappen explained that the problem was linked to the car’s handling and an unexpected issue with the pedals.
“My feeling in the car was not very good,” he admitted. “I was struggling a lot with the ride of the car. I couldn’t properly keep my foot down because my feet were coming off the pedals. That made it really difficult to stay consistent.”
The issue appears to have caught both Verstappen and Red Bull by surprise. While the team now faces a race against time to investigate the cause, the reigning champion admitted that there is little they can do before the sprint race itself.
“We are basically stuck with it for the sprint,” Verstappen added. “Hopefully we can improve things before the main qualifying session.”
The latest setback continues what has been an unusually difficult season for Verstappen and . After dominating Formula 1 in recent years, the Dutch driver has yet to stand on the podium in 2026, with Red Bull struggling to match the pace of rivals Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari.
So far this season, Verstappen has not managed a single top-four finish in either sprint races or grands prix. His best sprint result came in Miami, where he finished fifth, while he failed to score points in China after placing ninth. In the main races, his campaign has produced sixth place in Australia, eighth in Japan, fifth in Miami, and a retirement in China.
Those disappointing results have left the 28-year-old down in seventh place in the championship standings. He now trails championship leader by a massive 74 points, underlining how dramatically the competitive order has shifted this season.
Mercedes have emerged as the dominant force in 2026, while McLaren and Ferrari have also consistently challenged near the front. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s difficulties with balance, ride quality, and overall pace have left Verstappen unable to fight for victories on a regular basis.
Despite the ongoing struggles, Verstappen remains determined to turn his season around. However, with technical issues continuing to affect both performance and reliability, the Canadian Grand Prix weekend has already become another major challenge for the defending champion.