The world of Formula 1 is again in a stir after the recent publication of the power classification for the Canada 2025 Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen is harmed according to many fans and experts. The Dutch driver, who has been one of the most dominant figures in the sport for years, received a surprisingly low score from the jury of the F1 after an impressive performance in Montreal. This evaluation has led to a storm of criticism, not only of the loyal supporters of Verstappens, but also of the head of the Red Bull Christian Horner team, who described the jury’s decision as “absurd” and “incomprehensible.” The controversial evaluation has once again discussed the objectivity of the power classification, especially among fans of the four -stroke world champion.
During the race weekend at the Gilles Villeneuve circuit, Max Verstappen offered a great performance. Although he rode in a Red Bull car that did not have the speed of George Russell’s main mercedes, Verstappen was constantly occupied by pressing the British. Russell, who grabbed the pole position and finally won the race, was praised by the jury with a rare perfect score of ten. Verstappen, on the other hand, had to do with a 8.4, a figure that placed it in fifth place in the ranking, behind drivers such as Kimi Antonelli, Fernando Alonso and even Nico Hülkenberg. This decision has led to amazement with many sports followers, who believe that Verstappen is being addressed harder than its competitors.
The controversy was promoted by an incident during the last security period of the race. Russell consciously seemed to try to attract Verstappen to an error, hoping that the Dutch would get a punishment that would give him a suspension for the next race in Austria. Verstappen, who is already at eleven penalty points after an anterior collision with Russell in Spain, kept his head cold and avoided rape. Red Bull presented a protest against Russell after the race, because they discovered that the Mercedes driver was an unpleaded behavior when driving irregularly behind the security car. However, this protest was rejected by the FIA, which only increased frustration within the Red Bull camp. Horner expressed his dissatisfaction in acute terms: “It is ridiculous that a pilot who clearly resolves the limit is rewarded with a perfect score, while Max, which leads a clear race, is relegated in the ranking.”
Formula 1 power classifications are intended to objectively evaluate the performance of drivers in a race weekend, but critics claim that the jury often uses inconsistent standards. An example of this is the comparison with the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2024, where Verstappen set up a phenomenal p17 capture career to victory, but did not yet get a perfect ten. Russell now receives this score, although he found less opposition in Canada and was due in part to the upper speed of his Mercedes. For many fans, this is a sign that the Verstappen jury does not give the appreciation it deserves, possibly due to its controversial driving style or previous incidents.
In the annual description of the power classification, Russell’s high score took him to third place in the ranking, with only 0.3 points behind Verstappen. The same Dutchman is in second place, also at 0.3 points behind the McLaren driver, Oscar Piasstri, who leads the ranking this season. Lando Norris, Piastri’s teammate, fell to the fifth place after his accident in Canada, hit his own teammate and was expelled from the race. This incident once again emphasized McLaren’s domain this season, but also tensions within the team.
The situation is worrying for Verstappen and Red Bull. With a car that is less competitive than McLaren and Mercedes, the Dutchman has to trust his exceptional driving skills to remain in the race for the title. Persistent speculation about a possible suspension, combined with the low evaluations of the power classification, exerts additional pressure on the shoulders of the four -stroke champion. Even so, Verstappen remains imperturbable. In a reaction after the race, he said: “I will always compete as always. This nonsense on the penalty points does not change my approach.” With fourteen races in the season, it is clear that Verstappen will do everything possible to silence their critics, both on the track.
The Canada Grand Prix has shown again that Formula 1 is not only a speed sport, but also of strategy, political and controversies. For Verstappen and its fans, the battle has not yet been fought, but the question remains if the jury of the power classification will once give a fair evaluation of the Dutch superstar.
