Max Verstappen believes the advantages that came with being the sole Red Bull driver battling the McLaren duo in Formula 1 in 2025 outweighed the downsides.
Despite languishing 104 points behind with nine rounds remaining, Verstappen mounted a remarkable late-season charge to almost beat Lando Norris to the title.
Along with improvements to the RB21, Verstappen also capitalised on the driver situated in the second Red Bull seat not being on hands to steal points from him.
Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda experienced stints alongside Verstappen in the senior side, but both struggled to overcome the issues associated with that drive.
That was a huge contrast to the predicament at McLaren, where Norris and Oscar Piastri spent the entire campaign exchanging blows, ending up 13 points apart.
But while Tsunoda was seldom on hand to expand Red Bull’s strategic possibilities, Verstappen has contended that helped his cause against the McLaren pairing.
“When you’re on your own, you can go on the attack, you can be much more aggressive. I always prefer that,” he told Viaplay.
“Look, if you’re a bit equal with the car, then I wish both [McLaren drivers] good luck, because then you can really decide it amongst yourselves.”
Verstappen would always prioritise a clear number one
McLaren’s senior bosses remained committed to providing both drivers with equal opportunities until the end, even when it became clear Verstappen was a threat.
Verstappen has said that is not what he would impose as a team boss, citing that he would have a second driver playing a support role to a nominated number one.
“If I were a team boss, I would always put a clear number one and two in place,” the four-time F1 champion revealed.
“Of course, a number two who still scores enough points to compete for the Constructors’ title. But a clear number one and two.
“Because McLaren had two drivers, they gave away some things with their strategy. So, of course, we benefited from that too.”
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