Max Verstappen is proving to be the difference-maker in the 2025 Formula 1 season, keeping himself within striking distance of championship leader Lando Norris despite Red Bull’s apparent performance disadvantage. Verstappen’s recent victory at Suzuka has brought him within one point of Norris, with Oscar Piastri trailing by 12 ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix.
While McLaren has consistently had the strongest car, errors such as Piastri’s spin in Australia and Norris’ struggles during the Chinese Sprint have allowed Verstappen to stay competitive by maximizing every opportunity.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged Verstappen’s individual brilliance. “Right now, Max is making the difference,” Stella said. “But keeping that level over a 24-race season without the best car is extremely difficult.”
He added that although McLaren currently treats all rivals equally, the early rounds have shown a dynamic field. “Hamilton won in China’s Sprint, Russell was fast in that same race, and Verstappen was dominant in Suzuka,” Stella noted. “We’re still in a transitional phase where the competitive order isn’t fully defined.”
Lando Norris voiced frustration after trailing Verstappen throughout the Japanese GP, including during pit stops. Bahrain’s layout, which allows easier overtaking than Suzuka, could give McLaren a better shot this weekend—especially given their superior race pace, even if they don’t start from pole.
Stella emphasized the importance of consistency, even when not winning. “If we’re finishing P2 or P3, it’s still valuable. That steady approach will pay off later in the season,” he said. Verstappen’s ability to squeeze every ounce of performance from his car only reinforces the need for McLaren to operate at the highest level.
Two-time champion Fernando Alonso praised Verstappen’s efforts, drawing comparisons to his own 2012 campaign when he pushed the title race to the final round despite a slower Ferrari. “It reminds me of fighting with the third or fourth fastest car. Max is keeping the championship alive,” Alonso said. “If anyone can do it, it’s him.”
Alonso highlighted Verstappen’s stunning Suzuka pole lap as further proof of his excellence: “The car wasn’t built for pole, maybe not even for the top five, but he pulled off something magical. Right now, Max is the reference point for all of us.”
