Max Verstappen quipped he’ll get a “full report” from fellow Dutchman Nyck De Vries after the Formula E star’s recent Formula 1 test outing with McLaren.
In 2024, Verstappen fended off McLaren’s Lando Norris to win his fourth Drivers’ title with the Woking-based outfit boasting the strongest car as the season wore on.
After winning their first Constructors’ title in 26 years, McLaren handed De Vries a testing opportunity in one of its older F1 machines.
De Vries, a Formula 2 and Formula E champion has 11 GP starts to his name after an ill-fated stint at AlphaTauri in 2023.
Still, the Dutchman is a multi-skilled driver who also competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Toyota and Verstappen praised his compatriot’ talent.
“He is a great driver,” Verstappen told RacingNews365.
“He is technically also very strong. He likes to really analyse everything within the car.”
Speaking about the McLaren opportunity, Verstappen said “It’s good for [De Vries].
“He likes Formula 1 and honestly he’s great at these kind of things,” Verstappen added.
Given McLaren’s rivalry with Red Bull in 2024, Verstappen was probed on whether De Vries’ test would affect their relationship.
“He will send me a full report of what is going on,” he replied.
“No of course not,” Verstappen continued.
“We always keep it very professional. That’s his job.
“I’m not there to try and steal information. I don’t want to put him in that position anyway.”
Verstappen claims 2024 title would have come ‘sooner’ with McLaren
Red Bull encountered development issues in 2024 and Verstappen went on a 10-race winless run between triumphs at the Spanish and Sao Paulo GPs.
That allowed McLaren’s MCL38 to guide Norris to a title challenge, with the Briton ultimately coming up short.
But McLaren’s Constructors’ title was proof the team’s 2024 package was ultra-competitive and Verstappen told De Telegraaf his prospects would have improved in papaya, saying: “Whether I would have become champion in the McLaren? Yes! And a lot sooner too.”
That prompted a response from Norris ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, with the Briton saying “He should start doing comedy or something.
“He can say whatever he wants,” Norris added.
“Of course, I completely disagree, as I would. He’s good, but, yeah, it’s not true.”
One thing is for certain, McLaren enters 2025 as the likely favourite for both F1 titles with Verstappen and Red Bull playing catch-up in the off-season.
READ MORE – Lando Norris denies Max Verstappen would’ve won F1 title with McLaren 2024 car
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