Max Verstappen criticized McLaren’s approach, suggesting they lacked the winning mentality needed to compete for both championships successfully.
Even though McLaren managed to win the constructors’ title, he believes McLaren failed to capitalize on all the opportunities presented in 2024.
This is certainly reflected by the fact that Lando Norris finished 63 points behind Verstappen in the drivers’ standings.
Verstappen was surprised that McLaren allowed Norris’s teammate, Oscar Piastri, to take points off him as the title fight intensified in the second half of the year.
“You have the right to race, that’s fine. But what’s the point? They should have managed this more efficiently as a team.”
“They clearly had a very good car this year, but they had a lot to learn in terms of consistency. They did well in the constructors’ championship, but in the drivers’ championship, they could have been better prepared.”
McLaren “absolutely, 100%, missed opportunities” according to Verstappen, who added that he thought, “Norris could have beaten me for the title without that.”
Are McLaren’s “Papaya Rules” or team orders to blame?
“What does Papaya Rules mean? That doesn’t help me at all. When my engineer tells me that on the radio, that they’re applying it, I say: ‘Shut up right now.’ They should have resolved all that much more easily and better as a team.”
The turning point of the championship was indeed the Brazilian Grand Prix. Despite team orders in Norris’s favor, Verstappen’s masterclass in the rain made the difference. However, Norris didn’t see it that way, preferring to dismiss the Dutchman’s comeback in the wet and say Verstappen was lucky to get a free tire change under the red flag.
“I can understand his frustration. At the gala, he backtracked on those particular words. Of course, you have an interview like that right after a race, where he also took a psychological hit. While he could have regained control of the championship, the situation was reversed in an instant.”
“I know Lando, and at that moment, he’s very disappointed in himself. Then, of course, you immediately get asked a question like that. You shouldn’t have a camera in front of you for a while.”
“I know that Lando is simply a good person. He doesn’t really mean it at that moment. He’s just very disappointed, and then he gets asked that question and responds immediately because he’s frustrated. I don’t take it very seriously.”
Verstappen confirmed that Norris and he are still friends. Asked about their friendship, he said it was “totally fine.”
According to the Dutchman, the fight for the championship and the many tough battles did not affect their relationship off the track.
“Not to my knowledge, to be honest. We see each other. I was on the phone with him again just 24 hours ago.”
He concluded on the subject by saying that these interviews are part of Formula 1.
“It’s in our sport. With the helmet off, you’re either very happy or frustrated by certain situations. Then, of course, you might say certain things in the heat of the moment.”
As for his relationship with Zak Brown, the McLaren F1 team boss, the American has often criticized Red Bull and Christian Horner, but sometimes also the Dutchman, claiming at one point that Verstappen pushed the limits on track or that he would also need the best F1 car to win a title.
“But they don’t have the mentality of a world championship team, that’s what I was saying—they missed opportunities. I will always go to the limit to get the most out of every race, and if I have to push, that’s how it is. Sometimes, you have to cross a line. Well, I do it.”
When asked if he regretted how he pushed Norris off the track in Mexico, he replied: “No, not at all in that race. I think I gained points there.”
“So, as I said, I will always do everything to achieve the maximum result for a championship. And of course, sometimes you have to go to the limit or beyond, and not everyone understands that. Not everyone has that mentality.”
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Verstappen: McLaren lacked mindset to fight for drivers’ title Verstappen: McLaren lacked mindset to fight for drivers’ title
