Whether it’s a title this season or even a victory on Sunday, these are matters that Max Verstappen is far from concerned with in Spain. That doesn’t mean he’s negative, lacking confidence, or not showing fighting spirit; quite the contrary. “But I’m just being realistic.” Perhaps the McLaren drivers could help him in the race and the title fight by causing internal strife? “That’s wishful thinking.”
As realistic as he was in his initial reaction after qualifying, Verstappen is equally so in Spain during a longer conversation focusing mainly on the chances on Sunday and those in the overall title fight. After all, this Grand Prix, with the new regulations on wings, was supposed to bring about major changes. At least, that’s what many thought. But there’s no sign of a slower McLaren. “On the contrary, they’ve got it very well sorted here.”
Verstappen, by the way, has always been one of the people who didn’t expect much from the adjusted wing regulations. He has often warned that it might not slow down McLaren as much as others thought. Although his own long runs on Friday in the free practice sessions were reasonably good, winning on Sunday will be difficult. Will he mainly be looking backwards then? Yes, he says. “It’s close behind me, so that will be a fight. My goal for tomorrow is of course to be on the podium. Ideally in the middle, but that’s not realistic. Unless you’re a bit lucky.”
He’ll need that luck if he wants to stand a chance against both McLarens in the title fight in the upcoming races. Perhaps his rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will snatch points from each other in the internal team fight and Verstappen can benefit from that. “Even then, you still have to finish ahead,” he says. The idea of them literally getting in each other’s way seems like wishful thinking. The reigning champion nods. “Indeed, I think it is.”
