McLaren on alert amid Max Verstappen threat: “He is in the fight for the title”. Andrea Stella admitted that Max Verstappen remains a real contender for the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ title.

McLaren on alert after Verstappen’s resurgence

The back-to-back victories of Max Verstappen have set alarm bells ringing at McLaren. While the
Constructors’ Championship is still firmly in their hands, the Drivers’ Championship could
present some unexpected challenges. Team principal Andrea Stella has made it clear that nothing
should be taken for granted.

The 2025 Formula 1 World Championship continues to carry the papaya-orange signature of
McLaren, even after a weekend in which the MCL39 cars were little more than spectators in the
main battle. Yet that bright orange glow that usually symbolizes Woking’s dominance now looks a
little dimmer, as storm clouds gather on the horizon. They may still be distant, but their
presence is hard to ignore.

A difficult Baku weekend for McLaren

McLaren’s struggles in Baku coincided with Max Verstappen’s second consecutive victory,
following his success in Monza. This double blow has started to dent the team’s confidence. The
Constructors’ crown is already heading towards Woking, with victory only a matter of time, but
the fight for the Drivers’ Championship could still take unexpected turns.

Red Bull Racing has shown dramatic improvement, particularly on low-downforce circuits. Their
wins at Monza and Baku are not isolated incidents but a clear demonstration of progress. Andrea
Stella stressed that McLaren recognizes Verstappen as a genuine title contender, pointing out
that recent performances confirm just how competitive both the Dutchman and Red Bull remain.

Stella acknowledges Verstappen as a real danger

Stella explained that Verstappen’s victories showed more than just a car suited to low drag. He
highlighted that Red Bull had pace not only on the straights but also in medium- and low-speed
corners, proving the RB21’s overall strength. With Verstappen behind the wheel, a competitive
package becomes a dangerous weapon, as he can always maximize opportunities across a race
weekend.

Stella also admitted that McLaren expected Baku to be a difficult track for the MCL39, but he
remained hopeful that Singapore would present conditions more favorable to their car. The goal
is to return quickly to the fight for victories, but Stella conceded that Verstappen is very much
in the championship battle, and recent results only reinforced this reality.

Piastri and Norris struggle to deliver

The fact that the Drivers’ Championship remains open is not only due to Verstappen’s strength
but also because of mistakes and setbacks from McLaren’s own drivers. Oscar Piastri endured his
worst weekend of the year – perhaps even of his Formula 1 career – with a crash in qualifying
and another incident on the opening lap of the race. It was a stark reminder of the inexperience
that can emerge when competing at the sharp end of the title fight.

Lando Norris, meanwhile, confirmed both his qualities and weaknesses. He is undoubtedly one of
the fastest drivers on the grid, but his mental fragility resurfaced at a crucial time. In a
weekend where he could have closed the gap to the top of the standings, he faltered in
qualifying and was unable to produce the comeback drive McLaren had hoped for during the race.

Stella defends his drivers despite poor weekend

Aware of Verstappen’s capacity to thrive under pressure in turbulent title battles, Stella felt
compelled to publicly support his drivers after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He stressed that
although McLaren might not have beaten Verstappen even with a perfect weekend, there was
certainly more potential in the car than was ultimately shown. Both Norris and Piastri, in his
view, missed out on podium opportunities.

Regarding Piastri, Stella noted that the young Australian left Baku with no points but with
plenty to learn. After their post-race discussion, Stella was reassured that Piastri had already
shifted into problem-solving mode and was fully focused on the next challenge. Starting ninth on
the grid, there had not been many points available regardless, but the lessons learned could
prove crucial for the rest of the season.

Concerning Norris, Stella admitted that the weekend presented an opportunity to gain valuable
ground in the Drivers’ Championship. However, he emphasized that McLaren had not provided the
Briton with a car capable of advancing through the field effectively. From Stella’s perspective,
Norris still delivered a strong performance given the limitations of the package in Baku.