McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have dismissed the claim from Max Verstappen that he isn’t in the fight for the 2025 Formula 1 title.
The Woking-based squad’s drivers are current sitting at the top of the Drivers’ standings, with the Australian three points ahead of the Brit going into this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen has struggled with the sensitive RB21, which has seen him fall short in a number of races, but has also managed to pick up dominant wins at both Suzuka and Imola.
On Thursday, Verstappen told media including Motorsport Week that, from his perspective, 2025 “doesn’t really feel like a fight.”
However, Piastri said after free practice on Friday that the Dutchman should never be discounted from being in with a chance.
“Yeah, I don’t think he can be counted out,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “I think the gap is not very large at the moment, and they’ve genuinely been competitive at a decent number of circuits now.
“Of course, there’s been weekends where we’ve been stronger, but again, I think they’ve been developing their car, they’ve been finding more performance, so I think at this point, Max is definitely still in the fight.”
Piastri also believes the RB21 will be suited to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, with the track’s higher speed characteristics akin to those on which Verstappen has taken victories this year.
“I expect them to be quick. It’s a layout that’s been, that’s similar in some characteristics to where they have been quick this year, you know, all the higher-speed circuits of generally where Max and Red Bull have been very strong,” he said.
“And this is another one of those circuits, so I expect them to be definitely in the fight this weekend and we’ll see if there’s any other challenges outside of Red Bull.”
Norris: ‘Max can still win’
Norris was equally aware of the threat Verstappen can bring, and conveyed a feeling of deja vu that the same line of questioning is being put to him over the course of most races.
“I think you ask me this question every week,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “It’s the same answer. Like I say always, it’s a great feeling to be in the lead of the championship and to have more points than everyone.
“But again, it’s not something I look at. It’s not something that changes anything I do day to day. Doesn’t change how hard I work or what I try to achieve.
“I just try and win this weekend, and I’ll try and win in Montreal, and I’ll try and win in Austria. It’s got nothing to do with what position I am.”
Norris not only talked up Verstappen’s credentials, but also indicated his belief that Ferrari could also be in the mix soon.
“And no, I think mathematically, there’s still probably the whole grid that can win the championship at the minute. So, if you think it’s just out of me and Oscar, then I think you’re a bit silly. I think there’s plenty of opportunities. Max can still win.
“I think Ferrari – I expect them to get better through the season. But yeah, come on. We’re racing Max every weekend. He’s been on the podium several times. He’s won races. He beat us in Imola fair and square because he was quicker. So I don’t know what possibly makes you think that it’s only between me and Oscar.”
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