Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri made contact during the Singapore Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Schumacher predicts bleak future for McLaren, tips Verstappen for win

12:13, 13 Oct

Updated: 12:40, 13 Oct

bySamson Ero

Ralf Schumacher has shared a grim prediction regarding the situation unfolding at McLaren, while also tipping Max Verstappen to take victory at the United States Grand Prix.

"They’ll just let them race. I just hope it doesn’t come to a final bang."

- Ralf Schumacher

The 50-year-old, who spoke on the Backstage Boxengasse podcast, was asked whether Zak Brown would soon have to decide who the team’s lead driver should be amid their title fight. Schumacher, however, stressed that while the McLaren CEO is unlikely to favour anyone, there might soon be a need for a decision as Verstappen closes in on both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

“I don’t think Zak has the kind of character that would make him prefer one driver over the other. I’ll put it this way – if Max really comes up again, really close, then you’d have to get involved."

"Otherwise, they’ll just let them race. I just hope it doesn’t come to a final bang. Somehow, I have the feeling that soon, the two of them might not make it out of the first corner.”

Norris and Piastri celebrating McLaren's constructors' title in Singapore - Photo: Race Pictures

The F1 race winner continued by stressing that Verstappen could clinch another win at the Grand Prix in Austin, adding that McLaren’s dominance appears to be slipping away.

“Then it becomes a problem, and Max Verstappen just wins there [in Austin]. The next race in Texas will be very good for Red Bull again, and it could be difficult once more for McLaren, who also seem to be slowly getting tense. Anyone who knows Andreas Stella knows that.

“I’d say the dominance is really gone now, and that’s something they don’t understand at all and can’t afford at this stage of the season.”

Verstappen on the podium at COTA in 2021 - Photo: Race Pictures

Schumacher’s comments about McLaren needing to decide on their drivers come in the aftermath of the collision between the pair at the Singapore Grand Prix. At the Marina Bay race, both Norris and Piastri made contact after the former made a lunge on his teammate on the opening lap.

The overtake left Piastri fuming, and he was quick to air his frustration over the radio to the McLaren pit wall.

Steiner urges Brown to back Piastri

Former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner has urged the McLaren team to back Piastri amid the ongoing 2025 title fight.

The 60-year-old, in stating his case, detailed that the Australian currently has more points than Norris, making it the right call to give him the team’s backing and preference amid the ongoing title battle.

Both Norris and Piastri are currently separated by 22 points with six races and three sprints left on the calendar. The duo, however, have Verstappen and the Red Bull Racing outfit, who have found form following the resumption of the second half of the campaign, hot on their heels.

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