P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen believes the advantages that came with being the sole Red Bull driver battling the McLaren duo in F1 in 2025 outweighed the downsides.
Max Verstappen believed that the advantages of being the sole Red Bull driver facing the McLaren duo in Formula 1 in 2025 outweighed the drawbacks. Despite being 104 points behind with nine rounds left, Verstappen mounted a remarkable late-season charge to nearly beat Lando Norris to the title. With improvements to the RB21, Verstappen capitalized on not having a teammate steal points from him. McLaren’s drivers, Norris and Piastri, spent the season battling each other, with Verstappen benefiting from not having a teammate causing strategic issues. Verstappen preferred the solo approach, stating he would always prioritize having a clear number one if he were a team boss. McLaren’s equal opportunity strategy benefitted Red Bull, according to Verstappen.
