Max Verstappen Launches Scathing Critique of McLaren: “Title Would Be Done by Now!”
In a shocking revelation that’s sending ripples through the Formula 1 community, Max Verstappen has laid bare his thoughts on the ongoing title race, suggesting that if he had been behind the wheel of a McLaren, the championship would have been decided long ago. The Red Bull Racing star’s candid remarks come in the wake of a tumultuous Las Vegas Grand Prix, where both McLaren drivers faced disqualification for excessive skid block wear, allowing Verstappen to close the gap in the standings and inch closer to championship glory.
Verstappen, who currently sits just 24 points behind Lando Norris, has made it crystal clear that his presence in the title race is largely due to the misfortunes of others rather than his own or Red Bull’s stellar performance. “We are in this fight still because of other people’s failures,” he stated bluntly, casting a long shadow on the competition. The Dutch ace, who once found himself a staggering 104 points adrift after his home race in the Netherlands, confessed he had mentally “checked out” of the title chase at that point.
However, a remarkable resurgence in the latter half of the season, coupled with McLaren’s ongoing struggles, has breathed new life into Verstappen’s hopes for a fifth consecutive championship. “Five titles is better than four,” he quipped, yet the reality of the situation weighs heavy on him. “If it doesn’t happen, it’s not going to change my life, you know? Like, fine, great, if I win another one, but we also have to be realistic.”
The reigning champion emphasized that the true measure of his standing in the championship reflects not just his efforts but also the “stumbles” McLaren has made. “If we would have been in the position of how dominant of a car, well, [McLaren] had, let’s say it like that, the championship would have been over a long time ago,” he asserted, showcasing his unfiltered perspective on the fierce competition.
As he gears up for the next races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, Verstappen is ready to adopt an aggressive approach, knowing he has nothing to lose in this cutthroat battle. “Of course, the gap closed a bit, but still, 24 points—a lot needs to go well ’til the end to have a chance,” he acknowledged, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the sport. “You need to also be aware that even if you win everything, you still need a bit of luck, right? So we’ll see how that goes.”
With two opportunities to score points in this final Sprint weekend of the F1 2025 season, Verstappen is poised to attack from the get-go, firmly believing that the tides of fortune are turning in his favor. As the championship reaches its climax, all eyes will be on Verstappen as he strives for a third consecutive victory at the Lusail International Circuit.
In a world where every point counts and every race can change the narrative, Verstappen’s words serve as a stark reminder of the brutal realities of Formula 1. The battle for the title rages on, and the question looms—can Verstappen capitalize on the mistakes of others and seize the ultimate prize, or will the racing gods favor McLaren when it matters most? Only time will tell.









