Would Verstappen lead the standings in a McLaren? Sky analyst weighs in!

15:04, 06 Nov

Updated: 17:43, 06 Nov

byKada Sarkozi

Would Max Verstappen be in first place in the drivers’ standings if he drove a McLaren? Sky Sports analyst Anthony Davidson thinks it would be possible.

"I would doubt Lando would be ahead in the championship between them, but it might not be by as big a margin as you might think."

- Anthony Davidson

Since the summer break, Max Verstappen has continued to steadily close the gap to the two McLaren drivers in the standings. Entering the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the Dutchman is now only 36 points behind Lando Norris.

When asked whether Verstappen would lead the championship if he drove for McLaren, former F1 driver Davidson said it’s a complicated question.

He told Sky Sports: "It's always hard to say when the driver looks so dominant and so well-equipped in one car. You only have to look at other drivers switching teams, and what a struggle it can initially be. It's never as straightforward as it seems on paper."

Position	Drivers	Points
P1	Lando Norris	357
P2	Oscar Piastri	356
P3	Max Verstappen	321

The Briton doesn’t believe that putting the defending world champion in a McLaren would immediately suit Verstappen’s style.

He said: "Maybe he would hate the way the car feels on the brakes, like Lewis at Ferrari. Maybe he would really despise the steering ratio compared to the Red Bull. Maybe he wouldn't get on with the Mercedes power unit compared to the Honda. You just don't know."

Verstappen at the 2024 Sao Paulo GP - Photo: Race Pictures

Earlier in 2025, Verstappen has shown his talents outside Formula 1 by winning on his GT3 debut in the NLS at the Nordschleife.

Davidson therefore added: "He's a really adaptable driver. We've seen him race in different categories and be successful. But you just don't know until you see them in action against another A-grade driver in their team, in their equipment."

Davidson believes Verstappen would be in first place

Making a decision, Davidson does see that Verstappen would be in P1 in the standings.

"If I base it purely on who's made the most errors this year, then I would doubt Lando would be ahead in the championship between them, but it might not be by as big a margin as you might think.

However, he also underlined: "Piastri and Norris are extremely fast drivers though. They would, without question, be the closest competition that Max has ever faced and I would relish the opportunity to see it."

The Formula 1 season continues with a Sprint weekend at Interlagos next, where a total of 33 points will be up for grabs for the three championship contenders.

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