P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Jonathan Wheatley underlined why McLaren should be wary of Max Verstappen as the F1 drivers’ championship fight tightens.
Stake team principal Jonathan Wheatley is confident that Max Verstappen will continue to challenge for the F1 drivers’ championship “as long as it’s numerically possible” for him to achieve a fifth consecutive title. Verstappen aims to match Michael Schumacher’s five consecutive wins with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004. Despite earlier setbacks, Verstappen’s fortunes have improved significantly since Red Bull’s floor upgrade at the Italian Grand Prix, narrowing the points gap with Piastri and Norris. Wheatley, who worked with Verstappen previously, stressed that as long as it’s mathematically feasible, Verstappen remains a contender, emphasizing the importance of numerical possibilities in the championship race. Wheatley also highlighted Red Bull’s resurgence and Verstappen’s ability to rewrite rules, underlining the competitive nature of the team and acknowledging the potential that was unlocked later in the season.
