06/08/2025 12:10
Max Verstappen has insisted that McLaren must be "acknowledged" for
its staggering F1 season so far, as the Dutchman looks set to
suffer a title defence failure for the first time. Since becoming
world champion in 2021, Verstappen has successfully defended his
drivers' title for three consecutive seasons; however, a fourth
defence looks highly unlikely. After finishing in ninth in the
Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday, the 27-year-old slipped to 97
points adrift of championship leader Oscar Piastri, with 10 rounds
remaining. Whilst mathematically possible, becoming a five-time
champion this campaign depends on Piastri and his McLaren team-mate
Lando Norris suffering several non-point scoring results. Red Bull
found itself hugely off the pace at the Hungaroring, leaving
Verstappen unsure, when asked, if further wins were possible this
season. "I don't know," Verstappen told select media, including
RacingNews365 . "After a weekend like this [in Hungary], very
difficult to say, but you never know. There might always be
surprises or whatever." Since before the season-opening Australian
Grand Prix, Verstappen has continuously downplayed his title
chances due to the strength of McLaren. A championship charge
looked possible following victories in Japan and Imola, although
four consecutive races without a podium have dropped him out of
realistic contention. Asked if the season has been worse than
expected, Verstappen replied: "I never... I just stay neutral and
everything you know, so I don't become overly optimistic or
pessimistic or whatever. "So I was like, 'Well, we'll see. I hope,
of course, that we can still win some races here and there.' And, I
mean, we still did that. We still won two races. "But, yeah, it is
tough. But at the other end, you need to acknowledge that McLaren
has done a fantastic job, from last year to this year, and then,
from our side, it's been a bit more difficult."
