Max Verstappen says being the one Purple Bull automotive to tackle the 2 McLaren drivers for the 2025 System 1 title was a bonus somewhat than a disadvantage.
In 2025 Purple Bull tried its newest gamble to unravel its second seat syndrome, however after two poor weekends Liam Lawson was ruthlessly changed by Yuki Tsunoda.
The Japanese driver additionally struggled to seek out stability in his performances and outcomes, and has been demoted to a reserve position for 2026 as Purple Bull turned to Isack Hadjar as a substitute.
That meant Verstappen was taking up the 2 McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri by himself as he launched an unlikely comeback within the title battle over the second half of the season.
However whereas Tsunoda wasn’t an element up entrance to offer Purple Bull extra strategic playing cards to play, Verstappen feels his position as a sole frontrunner really helped him.
“Whenever you’re by yourself, you possibly can go on the assault, you may be way more aggressive. I at all times choose that,” he defined to Viaplay. “Look, if you happen to’re a bit equal with the automotive, then I want each [McLaren drivers] good luck, as a result of then you possibly can actually resolve it amongst yourselves.”
Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing
Photograph by: James Sutton / System 1 / System Motorsport Ltd by way of Getty Pictures
Verstappen identified that Norris and Piastri have been taking a variety of factors off one another of their battle in opposition to the Dutchman, with McLaren’s equal therapy of each drivers additional complicating issues on the technique entrance. That is why as a crew principal, he would at all times designate a primary driver.
“If I have been a crew boss, I’d at all times put a transparent primary and two in place,” the four-time world champion defined.
“After all, a quantity two who nonetheless scores sufficient factors to compete for the constructors’ title. However a transparent primary and two.
“As a result of McLaren had two drivers, they gave away some issues with their technique. So, in fact, we benefited from that too.”
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