After taking a narrow victory for Red Bull at the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen claimed things would have gone very differently had he been in the McLaren.
Verstappen beat the much-fancied McLarens to pole position at Suzuka last weekend with a stunning lap record attempt that shocked the field.
Fernando Alonso even told Viaplay, “Only [Verstappen] can do it.”
That pole position proved crucial as minimal tyre degradation and limited overtaking opportunities allowed for a flat-out push to the flag on race day, and Verstappen kept the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at arm’s length to cap off an incredible weekend.
Perhaps with Alonso’s comments to written media, including Motorsport Week, on Saturday, whereby the Spaniard said, “I think the car is clearly not at the level to fight for pole or even the top five,” Verstappen made a cheeky claim post-race.
Speaking to Dutch TV Viaplay, Verstappen said the Japanese GP wouldn’t have been the same if he were in the McLaren.
“When I came here, I didn’t expect to win here – and after Friday, not at all,” he said.
“Starting on pole was the most important thing this weekend. McLaren was faster I think, but they couldn’t get into the DRS to make a move.
“I’m very happy with what I’m doing. I don’t even want to think about if I’d been in that other car [McLaren]. Then you wouldn’t have seen me.”
The Dutchman smiled as he delivered that quip to Viaplay, no doubt a treat for watching Dutch fans on television, but is he wrong?
The sentiment at Suzuka was clearly defining Verstappen as the world’s best, a debate that he well and truly settled in Japan.
McLaren has the best car, but Verstappen is without doubt the best driver, especially if you ask his boss Christian Horner, who told Sky Sports, “Max, without any debate, is the best driver in the world currently.”
Verstappen McLaren jibe reeks of deja vu
This isn’t the first time that Verstappen has joked about his prowess in relation to McLaren.
In 2024, it was clear that McLaren had overtaken Red Bull in the development race, evident in the 10-race winless streak Verstappen endured in the middle of the season.
During that run, McLaren won four races, which was significant in the Woking-based squad’s successful Constructors’ title bid.
Verstappen, however, fought against setbacks to claim a fourth successive Drivers’ title in Las Vegas with two rounds to spare.
Speaking to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf after his title win, Verstappen said “Whether I would have become champion in the McLaren? Yes! And a lot sooner too.”
Norris responded at the following race meeting in Qatar by saying, “He should start doing comedy or something.
“He can say whatever he wants. Of course, I completely disagree, as I would. He’s good, but, yeah, it’s not true.”
However, based on the evidence of this past weekend, in an RB21 that is comparatively less inclined to take victories than its predecessor, Verstappen’s exploits mean that anyone doubting his ability to do more in a McLaren could be considered foolish.
READ MORE – Lando Norris denies Max Verstappen would’ve won F1 title with McLaren 2024 car
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