BREAKING: McLaren WARNS Verstappen May Struggle to Stay in Title Fight W…read more
McLaren Warns Verstappen May Struggle to Stay in Title Fight Without Red Bull Upgrades
McLaren team boss Andrea Stella has expressed doubts over Max Verstappen’s ability to stay in the 2025 Formula 1 title race unless Red Bull makes strides in improving their car’s performance.
Verstappen’s win at the Japanese Grand Prix his first of the season narrowed Lando Norris’ lead in the drivers’ standings to just one point. Despite the strong result, Stella pointed out that the four-time world champion is currently carrying Red Bull through individual brilliance rather than technical superiority.
“Max is making a big difference on his own right now,” Stella said. “But maintaining that level across 24 races will be incredibly tough without the strongest car.”
Although McLaren failed to capitalize fully on their pace at Suzuka due to underwhelming qualifying performances and a conservative race strategy, they remain the favorites for both championships heading into the next rounds.
Stella emphasized the importance of consistent high finishes, even when race wins aren’t possible: “If you can’t win, finish on the podium — over time, that consistency will be rewarded.”
The McLaren principal also cautioned against underestimating rivals like Mercedes and Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton won the sprint in China for Ferrari, and George Russell started the season strongly for Mercedes with back-to-back podiums.
“We take all of them seriously,” Stella said. “We’re still early in the season, and performance is varying between tracks. We need to see how things settle before drawing conclusions.”
He acknowledged that the championship landscape remains fluid, with different teams finding success depending on the circuit, making it essential to stay vigilant against all potential threats.
