Max Verstappen has made an ominous statement about the pace of McLaren ahead of this weekend’s F1 Chinese GP.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull finished as runners-up to McLaren at the first F1 race of 2025.
The changeable conditions at Albert Park played into Red Bull’s hands, allowing Verstappen to stay within touching distance of Lando Norris’s lead McLaren.
Finishing just six-tenths of a second behind Norris, Verstappen expressed his delight at the result.
However, as F1 prepared for this weekend’s Chinese GP, the reigning world champion has delivered an ominous verdict on McLaren’s pace,
Max Verstappen: ‘I have a lot of respect’ for McLaren
Speaking on media day ahead of the Chinese GP, Max Verstappen said he respected McLaren and expected the team to be strong at all circuits. He also reaffirmed his belief that the chasing pack is evenly matched.
“They’re super strong,” said Verstappen. “I mean, I have a lot of respect for what they have done. You know, already last year and now they’re very fast. Yeah, very all-round, good everywhere.
“So I think that is just a fact. Now how big the gap is or whatever is difficult to say. I think the clear picture that you saw was that McLaren was quite far ahead. Because I don’t think I’m an idiot in the wet, but in the first stint I didn’t really have a lot of chance to fight.
“I think in general we just need to be better as a whole; if you compare that to McLaren, they’re good everywhere.
“It’s impossible to really answer fully. I think myself, so Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari were all quite close. And probably will differ a bit track to track.”
When asked about Norris’ comments that he was unhappy with his car during Melbourne, Max Verstappen spoke of his own experiences last year and compared them to his expectations for the Chinese GP.
“His own McLaren? Maybe he was joking. I don’t want to compare scenarios. For sure, last year, when we started, I was already complaining that some bits were not to my liking, but we were still winning.
Feature Image Credit: McLaren Racing Media Centre
