Dominant Verstappen motivated as heavy favourite at Canadian Grand Prix

Red Bull's Max Verstappen is so far ahead of the pack in the Formula One standings he recently expressed a desire for more competition. But whether that happens or not won't affect his ambition to win.

The two-time reigning world champion arrives in Montreal with a substantial lead over his opponents ahead of Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

"For me, it's probably even more motivation [being the heavy favourite] because you know that you have a winning car ... this is much better than anything else," Verstappen said Thursday.

Verstappen has five wins this season, including the last three races, and hasn't finished worse than second in seven outings.

The combination of the Red Bull car with a talented driver like Verstappen behind the wheel is drawing comparisons to dynasties of the past — be it Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes car in the late 2010s, or Michael Schumacher and Ferrari in the early 2000s.

"I think it's nice sometimes to have good competition," said Verstappen. "I understand, of course, people get a bit bored if only one team is dominating. I mean, we've seen it also at Mercedes, we've seen it with Ferrari in the past."

Perez said Verstappen's consistency sets him apart.

"He has been able to deliver when it matters in qualifying, he hasn't had a bad weekend at all this year," said Perez, who missed the podium in the last two races.

"I've had two or three bad weekends this season so I really have to get rid of those and keep the consistency high because it's something that Max has been really good and consistent throughout this period."

WATCH | Verstappen wins 2022 Canadian Grand Prix :

A Red Bull driver has won every Grand Prix so far this season, with Perez winning the two races