McLaren Warned to Watch Verstappen's Resurgence

Former Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley praised Max Verstappen's exceptional performance at the Austin weekend, cautioning McLaren to be wary of his strong comeback. Wheatley highlighted Verstappen's dominance and Red Bull's ability to extract more performance from their car, suggesting that McLaren should be 'looking in their rear-view mirrors.'

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen's recent resurgence, highlighted by a commanding win in Austin, signals a significant shift in momentum. This turnaround could profoundly impact the championship dynamics, especially as McLaren had shown strong form in previous races. A consistently performing Verstappen and an optimized Red Bull car pose a serious threat to any team aiming for the top.

The Details:

• Jonathan Wheatley, speaking to GPblog, described Verstappen's Austin weekend as 'unbelievable' and 'dominant,' emphasizing that 'you can never write Max Verstappen off.'
• Wheatley, now Sauber team principal, expressed no surprise at Red Bull's improved performance, calling them 'a class racing team' with 'perhaps the best driver in the world.'
• He noted Red Bull's historical ability to make significant performance turnarounds between Friday and Saturday sessions.
• Rival's Recognition: Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff also acknowledged Verstappen's brilliance, though he emphasized that the RB21 is 'the most competitive car at the moment,' implying the car's role in Verstappen's success.
• Recent Form: Since the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, Verstappen has not finished lower than second, while both McLaren drivers have lost significant ground, underlining the shifting competitive landscape.

The big picture:

Red Bull's mid-season performance recovery, coupled with Verstappen's unwavering skill, has positioned them strongly, despite earlier struggles. This puts pressure on McLaren and other front-running teams to maintain their development pace and on-track execution. The latter part of the season is shaping up to be a fierce battle, with Red Bull clearly back in contention.

What's next:

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on McLaren to see how they respond to Red Bull's renewed threat. Their ability to counter Verstappen's pace and Red Bull's car development will be crucial in the fight for constructors' and drivers' championships. The upcoming races will be a true test of McLaren's resilience and their car's consistent performance against a rejuvenated Red Bull.

• McLaren must enhance their development and strategize effectively to fend off Red Bull.
• The ongoing technical battle between teams will determine who finishes on top.