Max Verstappen: Fact is I would easily win with McLaren

For the archetypal clip since 2021, Max Verstappen is nary longer the reigning Formula 1 champion. The Dutch driver's comeback successful the last 10 races of the season, portion impressive, was not capable to unafraid a 5th consecutive title.

He finished the play conscionable 2 points behind, and determination were galore moments successful 2025 that could person decided the rubric race. However, from Verstappen's perspective, determination is small constituent successful dwelling connected idiosyncratic situations. He is definite that helium would person won the rubric without a occupation if helium had driven a McLaren.

"I'm not saying that to provoke anyone... it's conscionable a fact," said the 28-year-old driver. "Haha, but it's conscionable a fact. It's not said to irritate anyone, either consciously oregon unconsciously. It's conscionable a information and nary 1 has to hold with it - but that's however I feel. That's my opinion."

Statistics

Looking astatine the statistics, it's hard to accidental that Verstappen has near galore points connected the track. The lone incidental that tin beryllium considered a missed accidental was the collision with George Russell successful Spain, erstwhile helium deed the broadside of the Mercedes car. Other atrocious results, specified arsenic retiring successful Austria aft the incidental with Kimi Antonelli, were retired of his control.

This was besides helped by McLaren, whose mistakes, specified arsenic Lando Norris' mechanical nonaccomplishment successful the Netherlands, a strategical mistake successful Qatar and misunderstandings wrong the team, kept Verstappen successful the rubric race. In the end, McLaren did capable to unafraid the rubric successful Abu Dhabi.

The four-time champion was asked however the 2025 play would person gone if helium had driven for McLaren. "That connection caused a absorption from Norris, but I basal by my words. Some radical won't similar it, but successful the extremity that's not my problem," Verstappen added. "I'm not saying this to provoke anyone, but erstwhile idiosyncratic asks maine a question, I usually conscionable answer. And yes, that's a fact."

As the 2026 play approaches, galore volition beryllium discussing this year's rubric race, arsenic teams and drivers are already gearing up for the caller season. Red Bull faces a analyzable situation arsenic it competes with its ain powertrain for the archetypal time. The short-term extremity is to beryllium competitory capable to springiness Verstappen assurance successful the team, but the rubric contention could beryllium a pugnacious one.