Max Verstappen keeps the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship alive, while McLaren shows signs of struggle. According to Jean Alesi, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are not to blame. The former Ferrari driver believes it is McLaren itself that has suffered a “dip in performance” in the fight for the title. The car that dominated the early part of the season now finds itself locked in a tight battle with Red Bull. In Milton Keynes, development on the RB21 has continued relentlessly, turning it into a true title contender in the hands of the four-time world champion from the Netherlands.
The United States Grand Prix in Austin highlighted two major themes, according to Jean Alesi. The first, and perhaps dearest to Italian fans, was Ferrari’s return to form. Charles Leclerc’s podium finish brought the SF-25 back into the fight at the front and demonstrated that, when the team finds the right setup, the Prancing Horse can still compete with its direct rivals. It was an important result for Maranello, sending a clear message that the team remains united and determined to keep pushing forward.
“It’s a pleasure to see Ferrari fighting for the podium again,” wrote the former French driver in Corriere della Sera. “Evidently, on this circuit, they found efficient settings. With these cars—so sophisticated and complex—it can happen that a few tenths make all the difference, bringing sudden satisfaction or disappointment.”
Verstappen chasing his fifth world title
The second key theme is Max Verstappen’s chase for his fifth world championship. The Dutch driver now sits forty points behind Oscar Piastri, who still leads the standings. It remains a large gap—a mountain to climb—but one that is beginning to put pressure on McLaren and its two drivers. “He is an immense driver, a predator always on the hunt,” commented Jean Alesi. “If this championship remains thrilling until the very last corner, it’s thanks to him.”
“He’s forty points behind, but he can still do it. It’s McLaren, more than its drivers, that is showing a drop in performance. I don’t agree with those who think Piastri or Norris are struggling under title pressure. They’re simply finding it harder to drive. Meanwhile, Max seems in complete harmony with a car that has been designed and developed around him,” concluded the former Ferrari driver.
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