Photo: Race Pictures

Mixed reactions at McLaren show one thing: Verstappen is coming

11:35, 24 Sep

Updated: 12:37, 24 Sep

byNorberto Mujica

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella is convinced that Max Verstappen is firmly back in the championship battle. Lando Norris has also sounded the alarm, while points leader Oscar Piastri plays down the Dutchman’s resurgence. Still, Verstappen’s recent form suggests Red Bull may have finally unlocked the full potential of the RB21.

Max Verstappen won the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Photo: Racepictures.

Coming off back-to-back victories, Verstappen has cut Piastri’s lead by 35 points in just two race weekends. Considering the circuits where those wins came—Monza and Baku—it seems Red Bull has found the car’s optimal operating window, a breakthrough that could translate into consistent performance everywhere.

"We're talking about Max Verstappen, we're talking about Red Bull. We have already seen in Monza that they improved," Stella said. "They seem to have made an improvement with their car. They were fast in the corners, medium speed and low speed corners, fast in the straights.. So they might have a lot of performance.

"I would not be surprised at all that Red Bull may continue the streak that they have started, because pole position in Monza, victory [there as well], pole position here.

"But definitely Max is in the contention for the Drivers' Championship. We knew it and we got confirmation today."

At Zandvoort, Red Bull believed they had hit the sweet spot with the RB21. Pole positions and race wins at Monza and Baku only reinforced that view. With Singapore next on the calendar, many expect the team to maintain its momentum, even at a circuit dominated by slow and medium-speed corners.

Still, McLaren’s strength in hot conditions and tyre management could play a key role under the demanding Marina Bay humidity.

Oscar Piastri driving at the Baku City Circuit - Photo: Race Pictures

Piastri downplays Verstappen's threat

Despite Verstappen’s resurgence, Piastri remains calm. “I’m not going to rule him out, but I’m honestly not too concerned,” he said. “I'm just trying to bounce back from this weekend and put in the best performances that I can. And I know that if I get back to where I know I can be, then I'll be more than okay. So that's what I'm going to focus on..”

Piastri acknowledged, however, that Verstappen could influence the title fight between himself and teammate Norris:

“If Max is in the middle of us [Piastri and Lando Norris, ed.] and I'm ahead, then it's good for me. If it's the opposite way around, then it's bad for me. So there are positives and negatives to that.

"But, ultimately, I want to make sure that my performances are at the level that they should be, and then I'll let the rest play out."

Lando Norris in Baku - Photo: Race Pictures

Norris issues a warning

Norris was more blunt in his assessment, insisting that people should stop being surprised by Red Bull’s pace.

“Max was winning races already at the beginning of the year. He could have won round one. I think he was pretty close to winning round two in the sprint or something. The whole season, they've been quick. The Red Bulls have been good,” Norris said.

Like Stella, Norris identified Monza as the turning point for Red Bull’s campaign:

“ They brought some upgrades to Monza, which seems to have helped them improve even more. So not a surprise. I think we know that they're an incredibly strong team and one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1. So we expect nothing less. They're going to make our life difficult, I think, for the rest of the season.”

Red Bull celebrates Baku win.

The Singapore acid test

The true test for Verstappen and Red Bull may come in Singapore, where extreme heat and humidity will challenge every team. Although Red Bull have won in hot conditions before, McLaren dominated the last race run under similar circumstances, securing a commanding 1–2 finish.

Has Red Bull’s recent progress been enough to turn the tide? McLaren remain wary. As their CEO has often said about the unpredictability of Formula 1: where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

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