piastri-norris-verstappen-on-the-monza-podium

Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri during the Italian Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Max Verstappen’s charge has F1 legend worried for McLaren

08:22, 02 Oct

Updated: 09:08, 02 Oct

bySamson Ero

Riccardo Patrese has predicted a looming Max Verstappen problem for McLaren ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix. The Italian stressed that the team may need to implement team orders in the final stretch of the campaign.

"This is the problem Andrea Stella faces. If Max continues like this in the next two races…”

- Riccardo Patrese

Patrese, who spoke via La Gazzetta dello Sport, explained that the McLaren hierarchy now faces the task of making a big team order decision, especially amid Verstappen’s recent form.

The 72-year-old also detailed how McLaren cannot afford their drivers to make contact on track if they aim to keep Verstappen behind them.

"This is the problem Andrea Stella faces. If Max continues like this in the next two races, perhaps winning one, then McLaren will have to say, 'Now we need team orders.' The team can't afford for Norris and Piastri to collide and lose points."

“The way Verstappen talks shows he knows the car has improved and that perhaps small improvements are to come. So, he has the opportunity to apply pressure and maybe win the championship."

Lando Norris, Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri at Parc Ferme. Photo: Race Pictures

Over the last two races, Verstappen has closed the gap to both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris atop the F1 drivers’ standings. Last time out at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the four-time world champion put in a dominant showing, recording a grand slam in what proved to be a challenging race for both McLaren drivers.

McLaren chief labels Verstappen a disruptor

McLaren CEO Zak Brown earlier weighed in on Max Verstappen’s resurgence in the F1 title fight. The 53-year-old labelled the Red Bull Racing driver a 'disruptor'.

Brown, who spoke in a recent interview, highlighted why his team needs to be wary of the four-time world champion, while also detailing the goals for the remainder of the 2025 campaign.

Verstappen continues to tighten the gap at the top of the F1 standings after back-to-back wins with seven races left on the calendar.

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