P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Disqualification, disasterclass and now McLaren are blowing it
Max Verstappen stirred controversy with his assertion that McLaren’s dominance would have already sealed the championship, a point proven by the Qatar Grand Prix outcome.
Had Verstappen been in McLaren’s position, he would likely have claimed his fifth world title in Europe, underlining the car’s superiority.
Despite Lando Norris’s near-miss in securing his first title, unexpected setbacks at previous races dampened his chances, setting the stage for a thrilling climax in Abu Dhabi.
The pressure is on Norris with a slim 12-point lead over Verstappen, making the outcome uncertain, while the possibility of neither McLaren driver winning is a looming tragedy considering their stellar 2025 performance.
Criticism of McLaren aside, both Norris and Oscar Piastri’s title aspirations were hampered by personal shortcomings, exposing the need for improved performance under pressure.
Verstappen’s resurgence and relentless pursuit of the championship highlights his formidable skill and experience, posing a formidable challenge to McLaren’s title dreams.
