Max Verstappen rules out fighting McLaren for F1 title: 'When I watch their onboards, I know enough'
Verstappen: Red Bull Upgrades Fail to Close Gap on Dominant McLaren
Driver admits 'balance issues' remain despite new parts
Max Verstappen secured victory in the Belgian Grand Prix sprint race, splitting the McLarens and holding off polesitter Oscar Piastri. However, despite a new upgrade package for his Red Bull RB21, the reigning champion admitted that McLaren remains out of reach for 2025.
Verstappen's success came with a low-downforce set-up, a strategy that proved effective in the sprint but was not replicated in qualifying. A sudden loss of grip during Q3 saw Verstappen drop behind both McLarens and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, securing fourth place for the main race.
The new Red Bull package, featuring a reprofiled front wing and bodywork tweaks, aimed to address Verstappen's persistent complaints about the RB21's handling. However, despite working as intended, the upgrades failed to significantly improve the car's balance issues.
"I think they work, but it still doesn't give me the balance I want to really attack a corner," Verstappen said after qualifying. "Those problems remain the same in terms of balance."
Optimism vs Reality: Marko's Belief vs Verstappen's Doubt
While Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko remains publicly optimistic about Verstappen's chances, asserting that “we will continue to fight for the drivers’ championship as long as it's mathematically possible,” Verstappen expressed a more cautious outlook.
"But Helmut isn't in the car!" he retorted when confronted with Marko's statements. "I understand that you have to be positive, but I'm always very realistic about how I feel in the car."
Verstappen further highlighted his concerns, stating that McLaren's tyre advantage appears even more pronounced in mixed conditions, referencing the British Grand Prix as evidence. He admitted to feeling powerless against the McLarens, particularly in wet weather conditions expected at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Belgian Grand Prix promises a challenging test for Verstappen and Red Bull, with the reigning champion facing a steep uphill battle against the dominant McLaren package.