McLaren 'Dropped the Ball' in Baku, Opening Door for Flawless Verstappen

Former F1 technical director Gary Anderson contends that McLaren 'dropped the ball' in Baku, losing crucial points that could reignite Max Verstappen's championship hopes. Despite McLaren's strong season, Anderson warns against complacency, suggesting that both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri 'overdrove' in Azerbaijan, while Verstappen delivered a 'flawless' performance to secure victory.

Why it matters:

After a dominant season for McLaren, their recent performance dip, coupled with Red Bull's resurgence, introduces an unexpected twist to the F1 Drivers' Championship. While McLaren remains comfortably ahead in the Constructors' Championship, the individual drivers' title is far from secure. Gary Anderson's insights highlight the fine margins in F1 and how rapidly the competitive landscape can shift, emphasizing that every point now counts as the season nears its conclusion.

The details:

• McLaren's Baku Performance: According to Gary Anderson, both McLaren and their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, 'dropped the ball' in Baku. He attributes this partly to the circuit layout, which doesn't play to McLaren's strengths in medium and high-speed corners.
• Driver Errors: Anderson suggested that Norris and Piastri 'overdrove' in Baku, potentially a result of complacency given their significant championship lead.
• 2026 Focus: He speculated that McLaren might have 'taken their eye off the ball slightly' this year, with a greater focus shifting towards the 2026 regulations, despite still being on track for the constructors' title.
• Verstappen's Resurgence: Max Verstappen's recent form, including a second-place finish at Zandvoort and back-to-back victories at Monza and Baku, demonstrates Red Bull's improved competitiveness.
• 'Flawless' Performance: Anderson described Verstappen's Azerbaijan Grand Prix win as 'flawless', highlighting his ability to capitalize on any opportunity presented.

The big picture:

Before Baku, McLaren had built a substantial lead in both championships, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris holding the top two spots. However, Verstappen's recent victories have narrowed the gap, with Piastri now 69 points ahead of Verstappen, and Norris 44 points ahead. With seven Grands Prix and three Sprints remaining, the championship is not yet out of reach for the Dutchman, especially if McLaren continues to falter. The shift in focus towards 2026 by some teams also adds a layer of complexity, potentially impacting current season performance.

What's next:

• Tightening Championship Battle: The Drivers' Championship, once seemingly a two-horse race between the McLaren drivers, now sees Verstappen as a potential dark horse, capable of mounting a late-season challenge.
• Verstappen's Outlook: Despite the points deficit, Verstappen remains pragmatic, stating he doesn't 'rely on hope' but will 'take it race by race,' aiming to score maximum points. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko remains cautious, noting that the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix has historically not favored Red Bull.
• McLaren's Response: McLaren's ability to regroup and prevent further 'leaking points' will be critical. Their performance in upcoming races will determine whether they can secure their first drivers' title since 2008 or if Verstappen can stage an improbable comeback.