Max Verstappen says he is not in a direct battle with McLaren in the title race. Although his deficit to Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris is still limited, the Dutchman does not think he can challenge McLaren over an entire season.
“Imola was obviously very positive in the end,” Verstappen said on Thursday at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. “But whether we can repeat that, I don’t know. We are going to do our best, but it is difficult to say whether Imola was a strong performance from us or a slightly weaker one from McLaren. That is difficult to judge.”
The 27-year-old Verstappen won his second race of the season in Imola two weeks ago, while he had to acknowledge his superior in McLaren in six other Grands Prix. That is why he does not want to speak of a fierce title fight.
“For me, it honestly doesn’t feel like a real fight. I’m trying to do my best and have a bit of fun, but this season so far won’t stay with me forever,” said the four-time world champion.
‘Max can still become champion’
Verstappen is 25 points behind leader Piastri in the World Championship standings (161 to 136 points). Lando Norris, winner of the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, is in second place with three points less than Piastri.
Norris does take Verstappen into account in the title race. The Briton therefore does not want to hear about a two-way battle with his teammate Piastri. “Arithmetically, even the entire field can still become champion at the moment,” he said.
“If you think it’s just between me and Oscar, then you’re not that smart. There are plenty of possibilities. Max can still become champion. He has taken multiple podiums. He has won races. In Imola he beat us because he was simply faster. So I don’t understand why someone would think it’s just between me and Oscar.”
‘The fighting spirit never disappears’
Since last year, Red Bull has been struggling with a car that is particularly lacking on slow corners and street circuits. That does not mean that Verstappen has resigned himself to a supporting role. “The fighting spirit never disappears. But I also don’t want to say that I am fully enjoying this year. I think it’s okay, but so far this is not a season that I will remember specifically later.”
Verstappen remains fairly calm under the hunt for a fifth world title: “It’s not that I don’t believe in the title. I come to the circuit and give everything I have every weekend. I know that I always get the maximum out of it. If the car is good for P5, then I finish on P5. If he can win, then I win.”