Brundle: McLaren's 'Ace Card' Could Trump Verstappen in Title Fight

Martin Brundle, the Sky F1 pundit, suggests that McLaren possesses a crucial strategic advantage in the Formula 1 title race that could ultimately overcome a resurgent Max Verstappen. Despite Verstappen's impressive recent form, McLaren's strength lies in having two equally competitive drivers, a factor Brundle believes will be decisive in the remaining races.

Why it matters:

The F1 title fight, initially dominated by McLaren, has intensified into a three-way battle. Max Verstappen has significantly closed the gap on championship leader Oscar Piastri, winning three of the last four races and reducing his deficit to just 40 points with five events left. This resurgence underscores the high stakes for McLaren as they aim to convert their dual-driver advantage into a championship victory.

The details:

• Verstappen has accumulated 119 out of a possible 133 points in the last five races, closing Piastri's lead by 60 points in just four events.
• Brundle acknowledges Red Bull's improved all-round car performance and Verstappen's peak form, noting that at this rate, Verstappen could become champion.
• McLaren's 'Ace Card': Brundle emphasizes that McLaren's key advantage is having two strong, evenly matched drivers, Piastri and Norris, against Verstappen's solo effort. This 'two-against-one' dynamic must be strategically deployed in every Grand Prix weekend until Abu Dhabi.
• Sprint Weekends: Sprint weekends, which are scheduled for Brazil and Qatar, could play into Verstappen's hands. Brundle notes that the condensed format, with one practice session followed by relentless competition, suits Verstappen's talent and consistency.
  • Sprint weekends feature results on all three days (Sprint Qualifying, Sprint Race, Main Qualifying, and Main Race), creating a cumulative effect that can make it difficult for competitors to catch up once behind.

The big picture:

While Verstappen's recent statistics highlight his threat, Brundle believes that upcoming tracks might favor McLaren, allowing them to regain their stride. The Red Bull car is now a better all-around package, and Verstappen is in exceptional form, making McLaren's strategic execution of their two-driver advantage critical.

What's next:

McLaren must effectively leverage the combined strength of Piastri and Norris to counter Verstappen's individual brilliance. The two remaining Sprint weekends in Brazil and Qatar will be crucial, offering Verstappen potential lifelines due to the format's suitability to his driving style. If McLaren can successfully utilize their 'two-against-one' strategy, they could still secure the championship, despite Verstappen's impressive comeback bid.