P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen highlights McLaren advantage that gave him “no chance” in Mexico
Max Verstappen mentioned that McLaren’s exceptional tyre management could play a critical role in the outcome of the 2025 F1 championship. Despite being 36 points behind the leader with four races remaining, Verstappen finished third in Mexico, closely trailing Charles Leclerc. Opting for a different tyre strategy than the top competitors, Verstappen began on mediums before switching to softs, which ultimately paid off as he secured a podium finish. Reflecting on the race, Verstappen acknowledged the significance of tyre performance, especially in comparison to McLaren’s consistent strong showings in this aspect. Although he expressed satisfaction with their recent wins, Verstappen emphasized the importance of overall speed and noted that McLaren’s tire management could pose a challenge in races where they have a pace advantage. Furthermore, a potential late-race battle with Leclerc was thwarted by a Virtual Safety Car deployment due to Carlos Sainz’s issue, highlighting the unpredictable nature of motorsport.
