Despite McLaren's dominance, can Verstappen win fourth consecutive Spanish Grand Prix?

09:19, 31 May

Updated: 11:04, 31 May

byNorberto Mujica

Max Verstappen has emerged the victor in Spain for the past three years. Speaking to GPblog and others, Red Bull Racing's CEO and team principal discussed Verstappen's chances to win four on the trot.

For Horner it is clear: McLaren have the best car wherever the F1 traveling circus goes racing. Therefore a fourth consecutive win in Barcelona isn't a certainty, even if spirits are running high due to Verstappen's dominant Imola win.

Max Verstappen during FP2 for the Spanish Grand Prix

'McLaren is the favorite at all tracks'

‘’You’ve got to say McLaren are going be the favourite here this weekend,'' Horner said as he singled out a McLaren strength since late last season: tyre preservation. In 2025 particularly, the MCL39 has been highly capable of maintaining the tyre's integrity in hot conditions.

''They’ve looked incredibly strong throughout all the early races. We take a lot of hope from the race we had in Imola, where we had great pace and we were able to win that race. But for sure, in these temperatures, they’re going to be super competitive.''

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The 2025 season is a long season indeed, but Horner notes that Red Bull Racing and Verstappen need to start beating the McLarens if there's to be any hope for the Dutchman to clinch his fifth consecutive title.

''Now whether it’s Lando or Oscar is difficult to say. But for us, what’s crucial is we definitely try and take points off them this weekend. Yes, we’re only approximately a third of the way through the championship with a long way to go, but we need to start nibbling away at their points advantage.’’

Despite the McLarens' hegemony in the first two practice sessions of the weekend, it was Verstappen who emerged superior - and not by a small margin - during the long runs in Barcelona. A fourth win on the trot for the Dutchman in Spain, can therefore not be ruled out.