Source: REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo
[Saba Sports News] When Max Verstappen rarely admitted to having “slim chances of winning,” the landscape of Formula 1 had already shifted. The four-time champion candidly told reporters after the Miami Grand Prix that “the only way to beat McLaren now is with a circuit like Monaco where overtaking is almost impossible.” Behind this pessimistic prediction lies the harsh reality of Red Bull’s decline—the dominance of McLaren, which has won five out of the first six races this season, leaves even Verstappen pinning hopes on track characteristics. Verstappen’s predicament is evident in his average lap times, falling 0.45 seconds behind McLaren drivers per race, representing his largest disadvantage in his career. Worse still, Red Bull cars struggle in slow corners, and the Monaco circuit is renowned for its slow sections. Inside the paddock, deeper concerns circulate. An anonymous technical director revealed that Verstappen’s acceptance suggests everything—when drivers start focusing on track characteristics rather than car upgrades, it means they’ve abandoned head-on competition. Fortunately, the internal squabbles between McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri offer some comfort to the Red Bull team. What once was a one-man show for Red Bull now looks like the coronation ceremony for McLaren’s new dynasty.