Verstappen Dismisses Title Battle Amid McLaren Surge: “It Doesn’t Feel Like a Fight”
Max Verstappen has downplayed his chances of clinching a fifth world title in 2025, admitting that this season's Formula 1 title race lacks the spark of a true battle. Currently sitting 25 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, the Red Bull ace remains pragmatic about his position, despite winning two of the opening seven races—matching Lando Norris' tally.
Piastri leads the standings with four wins to his name and a narrow advantage over his McLaren teammate Norris, who trails by just three points. This emerging McLaren dominance has put Verstappen on the back foot for the first time in recent seasons, marking a significant shift from the era where he routinely dictated the championship narrative.
“I just try to do my best and enjoy it when I can,” Verstappen remarked ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. “Some weekends we’re completely off pace, which isn’t fun. I wouldn’t say it’s memorable so far.”
The Dutchman highlighted his car’s performance limitations, particularly on circuits with low-speed corners and heavy kerbing—areas where McLaren has thrived. While Red Bull’s RB20 remains strong in medium and high-speed sectors, it lacks consistency on tighter, more technical street circuits.
A new FIA regulation aimed at restricting front wing flex—long used by teams to optimize aero efficiency—was introduced this weekend, but Verstappen isn’t betting on it to shift the balance. “It might slightly affect setup or car balance, but I don’t expect major gains or losses. It's not the solution we need,” he stated.
Despite Verstappen’s low-key approach, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri remains wary. “I wouldn’t count Max out. They’re still fast, and the gap is small,” said the Australian, who has emerged as a legitimate title contender.
Lando Norris echoed the sentiment, brushing off any impact from the new regulations. “We’ve tested the front wing already. It’s not our magic bullet, and it’s not going to change how we approach things.”
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari criticized the updated front wing tests, arguing that they remove a workaround that made this generation of F1 cars more drivable. “It’s the wrong direction. The flexi-wings improved balance where the regs had failed.”
As McLaren looks to cement its lead and Red Bull seeks answers, the 2025 season continues to evolve into one of the most unpredictable in years—with Verstappen, perhaps uncharacteristically, sounding like the outsider.
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