Verstappen, real threat: McLaren warns about the F1 championship

In the fast-paced world of Formula 1, the competition for this year’s drivers’ championship intensifies. Andrea Stella, a key figure within the McLaren team, has expressed his concern about the threat that Max Verstappen poses to his team’s drivers. The qualifying session in Baku was a clear example of the intensity of the competition. Verstappen, despite the adversity and chaos on the track, managed to secure pole position. Championship leader Oscar Piastri suffered an accident in Q3, while Lando Norris had problems on a crucial lap. Both McLaren drivers will start from ninth and seventh position, respectively. Verstappen, winner of the Italian Grand Prix two weeks ago, is a considerable distance away in points, 94 behind Piastri and 63 behind Norris. However, Stella considers the Dutch driver to be the rival to beat in every race.

Red Bull has introduced improvements to its single-seater. They could be optimizing their car differently. Now we hear Verstappen talking much more about the car’s setup.

Andrea Stella

Stella emphasized the importance of not underestimating Verstappen, highlighting his experience as a world champion and the performance of his car. Furthermore, he pointed out that McLaren might not always have the advantage in terms of competitiveness. A crucial factor is that Lando and Oscar, the McLaren drivers, could take points away from each other in the fight for the championship. Stella emphasized that Verstappen and Red Bull are serious contenders for the drivers’ championship.

Verstappen’s performance in Saturday’s qualifying has earned him six pole positions in 2025, more than any other driver. Despite McLaren’s notable advantage, the points gap seems considerable. To put it in perspective, a victory awards 25 points, meaning Verstappen is almost four full victories away from Piastri.