Verstappen Attributes Title Contention to McLaren's 'Failures,' Not Red Bull's Dominance
Max Verstappen admitted his continued presence in the title race is due to McLaren's 'failures' rather than Red Bull's dominance, stating the championship would be 'over a long time ago' if his car matched McLaren's performance. Despite closing the gap to 24 points, he acknowledged the need for luck but plans to 'go all in' for the remaining races.
Max Verstappen candidly admitted his current position in the title race is more a reflection of 'other people's failures,' particularly McLaren's, rather than Red Bull's outright performance. Despite recent victories, he believes the championship would have been decided long ago if Red Bull possessed a car as dominant as McLaren's.
Why it matters:
- Verstappen's comments highlight the intense, often brutal, nature of Formula 1 where reliability and consistency are just as crucial as raw pace.
- His remarks offer a psychological edge, subtly shifting pressure onto McLaren as the season nears its climax.
- It underscores the narrative that while Red Bull has maximized its opportunities, McLaren's occasional stumbles have kept the door open for a championship fight that many had written off.
The details:
- Verstappen was 104 points behind the title leader after the Dutch Grand Prix, mentally 'checking out' of the championship at that point.
- McLaren drivers were disqualified in Las Vegas for excessive skid block wear, allowing Verstappen to significantly close the gap.
- He is now within 24 points of the top spot, an equivalent of one race win.
- Verstappen believes if Red Bull had the 'dominant car' McLaren possesses, the championship would have been 'over a long time ago.'
- He acknowledged that while Red Bull has 'really maximised pretty much all races,' their current position is largely due to 'other people's failures.'
- Strategy Ahead: Verstappen plans to 'go all in' during the remaining races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, as he feels he has 'nothing to lose.'
- He needs to avoid losing two points to Norris this weekend to maintain his championship aspirations.
- The upcoming Qatar Grand Prix is a Sprint weekend, offering two opportunities to score points, and Verstappen is aiming for his third consecutive victory at the Lusail International Circuit.
What's next:
Verstappen's aggressive stance for the final races indicates he will be pushing hard, even as he acknowledges the long odds. The championship battle, once seemingly a foregone conclusion, has gained an unexpected twist due to McLaren's inconsistencies. The remaining races will test both Red Bull's ability to capitalize and McLaren's capacity to maintain consistency under pressure.