Max Verstappen says McLaren still benchmark

Although helium took much points than the McLaren operator for the 3rd clip successful a row, 27-year-old Max Verstappen remains calm successful the combat for the title title. In Singapore, Lando Norris was faster, but the way configuration simply did not let the Dutchman to overtake him.

In the past 3 races, Verstappen has collected a full of 68 points – much than person Oscar Piastri (27) and second-placed Norris (39). Although helium is 63 points down Piastri, portion Norris is moving distant from him by 41 points, the concern is overmuch amended than aft the Hungarian GP erstwhile the quality was 104 points. This shows that the combat for the rubric is reopening.

Meanwhile, Red Bull has seen a noticeable betterment acknowledgment to the caller level of the RB21 car, which was introduced astatine Monza. This led to speculation that it was nary longer conscionable a duel with McLaren, but a triple conflict for the title. 

The triumph implicit McLaren astatine the Marina Bay circuit, the lone 1 wherever Verstappen has not celebrated truthful far, further raised optimism. Nevertheless, problems with the gearbox proceed to travel the operator passim the season.

"I deliberation excessively overmuch has gone wrong," helium told the Checkered Flag podcast. "We had excessively galore problems changing gears - some up and down. The equilibrium of the car was hard to control, truthful each 62 laps were axenic concern management. But 2nd spot is inactive precise good. Even if we had much speed, you conscionable can't overtake present - I would person been 2nd anyway."

Title chances

When asked astir his chances for the title, Verstappen was cautious: 

"For that, we person to acceptable a amended gait passim the weekend. You can't adjacent realistically justice the performance, due to the fact that Lando was stuck down maine the full race. He was overmuch faster. As soon arsenic I pitted during the archetypal stint, helium was noticeably faster, and I couldn't support that pace. McLaren is inactive precise fast. If the way was connected a mean layout, helium would person conscionable overtaken maine and gone. So they are inactive benchmark. We inactive person a fewer things to enactment on, but it was already a spot better."

Verstappen praised McLaren for their 2nd consecutive constructors' title, their archetypal since 2008: "Phenomenal. They've done an unthinkable occupation this twelvemonth and they afloat merit the title. I'm precise blessed for them. They had a hard play a fewer years ago, but the mode they've recovered is impressive. It's a acquisition for everyone successful the paddock - that thing is imaginable successful Formula 1."