Verstappen Enters the F1 Title Fight: Is McLaren Under Pressure?
Max Verstappen, demonstrating his usual dominance, has put Formula 1 on alert. His victory in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, combined with a complicated weekend for McLaren, has reignited the discussion about his possible candidacy for the 2025 championship, despite being 69 points behind the leader.
Verstappen’s weekend in Azerbaijan was impeccable: pole position, fastest lap, and victory. Meanwhile, McLaren experienced setbacks. Oscar Piastri crashed in qualifying and on the first lap of the race, and Lando Norris didn’t take advantage of key opportunities. The team also had a crucial late pit stop, resulting in a disappointing weekend for the team that has dominated the season.
“Definitely, Max is in the running for the drivers’ championship,” stated Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal.
Andrea Stella
Despite the distance in points, Verstappen has reduced Piastri’s lead by 35 points in the last two races. With seven races remaining, the situation is challenging, but Verstappen’s performance has generated expectations.
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Verstappen remains cautious, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation. However, the general perception in F1 is that Verstappen is a contender, which says a lot about his impact.
Recent performances have impressed rivals like Fernando Alonso, who see Verstappen as a driver of another level. His aura and his ability to perform in difficult cars make him a competitor to be reckoned with.
McLaren’s fragility has also been revealed. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was a pressure point, and the team’s response will be crucial for the rest of the championship.The inconsistency of Piastri and the lack of opportunities for Norris in Azerbaijan were notable. Norris’s performance, especially, has raised doubts about his ability to perform under pressure.
Piastri, for his part, remained calm after the weekend, attributing his mistakes to execution failures. Stella compared Piastri’s situation to that of Michael Schumacher, highlighting that even the greats make mistakes.
Stella also pointed out that, although no one is perfect, Verstappen is a driver who frequently achieves perfection, which makes him a major contender.
Stella’s comments suggest that Verstappen has put pressure on McLaren. Verstappen’s victories in Monza and Baku have been a challenge for McLaren, which has had to deal with internal competition between its drivers.Verstappen is not focusing on speculation and prefers to concentrate on each race. The Singapore Grand Prix, where Verstappen has never won, will be a key test for Red Bull.
If Red Bull wins in Singapore, the idea of Verstappen as a title contender will be strengthened. The possibility of Verstappen achieving a series of victories is real, given his skill and consistency.
The advantage Verstappen has over McLaren is that he is unlikely to lose points to his teammate. The combination of Red Bull’s dominance and the competition between Piastri and Norris could open up opportunities for Verstappen to reduce the points gap.
McLaren arrived in Azerbaijan hoping to secure the constructors’ championship, but now faces the shadow of Verstappen. Singapore will be a crucial race.
