For now, Max Verstappen does not believe the upcoming Formula 1 season will be very exciting. The reigning world champion doubts whether he will be competing for the win at the season opener in Melbourne. He predicts that the big contenders this year will be Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, with McLaren standing head and shoulders above the rest.
“How many teams will be competing for the title this year?” Viaplay asked Max Verstappen during an event at the Zandvoort circuit. The Dutchman gave a bleak response. “At this moment, one,” he referred to the McLaren team. According to experts, the papayas came out on top during the winter tests in Bahrain. At the end of last year, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri also had the fastest car, although they were unable to close the gap to Verstappen.
‘McLaren Clearly Ahead’
“They (McLaren) do have a nice color,” Verstappen joked. In the past, the Brits’ bright orange cars have often been compared to the national color of the Netherlands. Lando Norris has even referred to the representatives of the Orange Army as McLaren fans on several occasions. “We just have work to do,” Verstappen continued in a serious tone. “The competition will also want to improve here and there, but at this moment, it’s just one team that is clearly ahead.””At Red Bull, they hope that Max Verstappen will once again make a difference in 2025. Helmut Marko previously referred to the reigning world champion as a ‘trump card’ within Formula 1. He hopes that the competition will continue to snatch points from each other this year, as was the case last season. Notably, McLaren refused to designate a first driver, which was detrimental to title candidate Lando Norris.
After the winter tests in Bahrain, Max Verstappen is convinced that McLaren has the best car with the MCL39.
The Formula 1 calendar for 2025 is available for viewing.
