Canadian Grand Prix Weekend Preview - Storylines to Look Out For

Formula One is heading back out to North America for the Canadian Grand Prix. A permanent circuit that gives street track vibes, especially with the close walls. We've had some interesting races there, including the longest ever F1 race back in 2011. But what's this weekend going to bring? Here are a few storylines that I'm keeping an eye on.

Will Max Verstappen Get A Race Ban?

The Spanish Grand Prix was not a happy one for Verstappen or Red Bull. An incident towards the end of the race saw the driver bumped down in to 10th place with 11 points on his super license. Just one away from a race ban. Verstappen's first set of penalty points don't expire until June 30th which means he's going to have to play his cards carefully over the next couple of races. Testing the boundaries too much with an overtake could see him having to sit out at the next Grand Prix. An outcome that Red Bull is going to hope they can avoid.

This year's car has not been easy to drive for any of the three drivers Red Bull have had behind the wheel. Even with their difficulties though, Verstappen is the team's star driver. Even on bad weekends, he still extracts the most out of the car. Losing him for a race weekend could mean the team losing critical points in the Constructors'.

Will Mercedes Engine Woes Continue?

Mercedes had an abysmal triple header, walking away with only 18 points and Kimi Antonelli only crossing the finish line in one race. Engine issues did not help their plight. In Monaco, George Russell had an engine failure during Q2 which led to him starting P14 on the grid. The Mercedes powered Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso DNF'd in that race because of an engine failure. To add on to their troubles, on lap 55 of the Spanish Grand Prix, Antonelli also faced an engine failure and could not finish the race.

There are definitely some gremlins that Mercedes are trying to figure out, with Antonelli's engine being sent back to the factory to be dismantled to find the issue. More engine issues for the team though, could put them at risk of sliding into fourth place in the Constructors'. The Silver Arrows have already been relegated to P3 after a fairly strong triple header from Ferrari. So, will it be smooth sailing for the team in Canada?

Can Isack Hadjar Continue His Points Run?

Isack Hadjar has had a brilliant triple header. Really, it's been a brilliant season for the young rookie so far. Hadjar flew under the radar slightly when he joined the F1 grid but over the opening races of the season, he's come into his own and has proven why he was given this chance. Over the last three races, Hadjar managed to score 16 out of the 20 points that Visa Cash App RB walked away with. It's the type of performance that both driver and team will want to hold on to. Canada can be a tricky track, especially with the infamous Wall of Champions. But if Hadjar can master this track and come away with solid points, then Red Bull might just keep an eye on him.