Verstappen Fueled by McLaren's Punchy Radio Message in Las Vegas Win

Max Verstappen revealed that a motivational McLaren team radio message only fired him up more as he withheld pressure from Lando Norris to win the Las Vegas GP, declaring it “only motivates me to defend even harder.” The Red Bull driver's comments came after McLaren told Norris, who was in second place, “we’re going to get Max” during the race, a message Verstappen reportedly heard.

Why it matters:

• This anecdote highlights Verstappen's intense competitive mindset and his ability to leverage external pressure to his advantage, further cementing his reputation as one of F1's most formidable drivers.
• It also offers a glimpse into the psychological warfare that can unfold between teams and drivers during a Grand Prix, where even seemingly innocuous radio messages can become motivational fuel.

The Details:

• On Lap 34, after Lando Norris overtook George Russell to reclaim second place, McLaren's team radio informed Norris, “we’re going to get Max,” who was five seconds ahead.
• Verstappen, speaking to Viaplay, confirmed he heard the message and found it amusing, stating, “I have to laugh about it. It only motivates me. It only works adversely. It only motivates me to defend even harder if he would have come.”
• Despite Norris's initial challenge, Verstappen maintained control of the race on hard tires, eventually winning by over 20 seconds. Norris later dropped back due to a fuel issue in the closing stages.
• Race Control: Verstappen seized the lead early after Norris went deep into the first corner while defending.
  • He managed his tires superbly, pushing harder at the start to fend off Russell but then maintained a consistent pace, allowing his tires to “heal well.”
  • Verstappen acknowledged Norris's aggressive first-corner defense, noting he had to "count to ten" and brake late, which "turned out well" for taking the lead.

The Big Picture:

• Verstappen's dominant performance in Las Vegas, converting a challenging start into a comfortable win, underscores Red Bull's continued superiority and his own strategic race management.
• The incident with the McLaren radio message illustrates the fine line between motivation and overconfidence in high-stakes F1 racing, where a perceived slight can galvanize an already leading competitor.

What's next:

• Verstappen's relentless pursuit of victory, fueled by such competitive exchanges, suggests he will continue to be a dominant force in the remaining races of the season and beyond.
• This psychological edge could prove crucial as teams continue to battle for constructor and driver standings, with every small advantage, whether technical or mental, playing a part.