Martin Brundle: McLaren's 'Ace Card' Against Max Verstappen

Martin Brundle believes McLaren's two-driver lineup is their "ace card" in the title fight against Max Verstappen, but he cautions they must "play that very well" to leverage this numerical advantage. Despite Verstappen's recent surge, Brundle sees McLaren's dual threat as a potential game-changer in the 2025 season.

Why it matters:

McLaren's strategy of running two competitive drivers against a dominant Max Verstappen could be the key to challenging Red Bull's recent supremacy. While Verstappen has shown he can single-handedly challenge an entire team, a coordinated effort from Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri could create strategic advantages and pressure points throughout the season, potentially altering the championship outcome.

The details:

• Verstappen's Surge: Max Verstappen has been in formidable form, securing 119 out of a possible 133 points in the last five races. He has closed Oscar Piastri's championship lead by 60 points in the last four events, now trailing by just 40 points.
• McLaren's Numerical Superiority: Brundle highlights that McLaren's greatest strength lies in having two drivers, Norris and Piastri, who are both contending for the championship, effectively making it a "two against one" battle against Verstappen.
• Upcoming Tracks: While Red Bull's car is currently superior and Verstappen is at his peak, Brundle suggests that the characteristics of upcoming tracks might favor McLaren, allowing them to regain their normal service.
• Sprint Race Incident: The United States GP sprint race saw a significant incident where Oscar Piastri accidentally took out Lando Norris at Turn 1. Brundle described this as a "very significant moment" in the Drivers' Championship, as it resulted in a worst-case scenario for McLaren with Verstappen leading the race.
  • Piastri's maneuver was described as textbook for normal combat but ill-suited for a chaotic start, leading to contact that damaged both McLaren cars. This incident underscored the importance of strategic coordination.

What's next:

McLaren's ability to maximize their two-driver advantage will be crucial in the remaining races. They need to avoid incidents like the one in the US Sprint race and strategically deploy both Norris and Piastri to challenge Verstappen's dominance. How McLaren manages this internal dynamic and leverages their combined strength will likely determine their championship fate against the formidable Dutchman.