Ahead of the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix weekend, Max Verstappen pointed out McLaren’s mistakes as crucial in keeping him in the Formula 1 title race. McLaren’s latest slip-up not only allowed Verstappen to stay in contention but also provided him a real opportunity to challenge a British driver on the final day.
This scenario mirrors Verstappen’s first F1 championship win, where he controversially overtook Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the 2021 Abu Dhabi race. Now, as he pursues a fifth consecutive title, Verstappen trails Lando Norris by just 12 points, with Oscar Piastri trailing by four points, setting up a three-way title showdown on the final day for the first time since 2010.
Verstappen reminisced about Sebastian Vettel’s 2010 comeback to win the championship on the final day. He expressed optimism and determination, saying they will approach the challenge positively and give their best effort.
McLaren’s repeated failures were highlighted by Verstappen, exemplified by Red Bull sending their strategy chief to the podium to collect the constructors’ trophy, a move that did not go unnoticed. McLaren’s team principal and chief executive opted not to give interviews, with the former emphasizing that Norris will not receive preferential treatment despite the heightened threat from Verstappen.
Stella emphasized that both Norris and Piastri have equal chances to win the championship, indicating that McLaren will allow both drivers to compete fairly. Piastri, although still in contention, acknowledged the slim odds against him.
The championship battle intensifies as Piastri’s chances dwindle, requiring Norris to finish sixth or lower for Piastri to have a shot at the title. Verstappen’s engineer suggested a controversial move by Antonelli to let Norris pass, triggering contrasting responses from team officials.
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