Max Verstappen ended Friday practice at the Canadian Grand Prix feeling optimistic for the Formula 1 weekend ahead despite losing pace from FP1 to FP2.
The Red Bull driver topped the opening session in Montreal, but fell to ninth in second practice at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Verstappen is still confident the team is "looking okay" for Sunday's race though, provided it "can get the car back to how it felt in FP1".
“FP2 was a bit more difficult for other reasons," he said. "I think we lost something with the car, like balance-wise, that we need to investigate. But overall, I think it was quite a positive day for us.”
“There's still one more session where people can get it right," Verstappen added. "For us, we just want to get it in a good window and then we'll see how far we are up there in qualifying.”
Verstappen has won the last three grands prix in Montreal, but things are now different for the four-time world champion as McLaren has since leapt ahead of Red Bull in the pecking order.
McLaren is the defending champion and currently leads the 2025 constructors' standings, having won seven of the opening nine rounds.
This has left a tight battle for second between Ferrari (2nd), Mercedes (3rd) and Red Bull (4th), who are all separated by just 21 points.
Those teams are therefore Verstappen's focus this weekend and not McLaren, who lead the championship by 197 points.
"It's a bit different this time around," said Verstappen. "I think if we can fight for a podium with Ferrari, Mercedes, that already would be a good achievement.
"[The McLarens] go faster. It's not even in my head. I'm more focusing on the other teams. I know that last year, for example, Mercedes was very strong here.
"I think if you compare last year to now, maybe they're more competitive as well. So, it will be hard enough to already fight for a podium."
