P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has said he “didn’t really lose” the F1 title because Red Bull “never really had a chance” to challenge McLaren in 2025.
Max Verstappen stated that he didn’t feel like he lost the 2025 Formula 1 title as Red Bull never had a real chance to challenge McLaren during the season. Despite finishing only two points behind Lando Norris in the championship, he harbored no frustrations about the outcome. Verstappen highlighted the dominant performance of the McLaren MCL39 in the first half of the season, emphasizing that Red Bull was never in contention. The Dutch driver acknowledged the role of fate and various incidents that helped him stay in the title fight until the final round. He mentioned specific events, like the collision with Andrea Kimi Antonelli in Austria and his own misjudgment in Barcelona, but reiterated that these incidents did not solely determine the championship outcome. Verstappen reflected on missed opportunities and strategic mistakes throughout the season, emphasizing the competitive nature of the championship despite McLaren’s eventual triumph.
