A storm of controversy hit the Formula 1 world after an explosive statement by former driver and Sky Sports commentator Danica Patrick. In a recent episode of the Sky Sports F1 podcast, which was broadcast on July 29, 2025, Patrick stated that McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris “don’t earn a champion” in the 2025 season due to alleged chest game with their MCL39 car. On the other hand, she praised Max Verstappen, who, according to her, is the only driver who deserves an honest victory. These statements have detached a wave of reactions in the racing community, with fans and experts who are divided over her allegations.

Patrick’s comments come after a dominant season for McLaren, where Piaastri and Norris together won nine out of twelve races, as reported by GPFans. Piastri leads the championship with 266 points, followed by Norris with 250 points, while Verstappen is in third place with 185 points. The superiority of the MCL39, especially after upgrades in the Miami 2024 Grand Prix, has given McLaren a lead that Red Bull, the home of Verstappen, was unable to keep up. Patrick, an outspoken admirer of Verstappen, claimed that McLaren’s performance is not only due to technical ingenuity, but to “unethical adjustments” that would exceed the limits of FIA regulations. Although she did not provide specific evidence, she referred to rumors within the Paddock about possible violations at McLaren’s aerodynamic tests.

The accusations of Patrick are not new in Formula 1, where rumors about cheating often appear in competitive seasons. A similar incident occurred in the e-sport world, where Redline Van Verstappen was accused of abuse a glitch during the 24 hours of the Nürburgring, as reported by GP33. Although this case has no direct link with McLaren, it feeds the speculation about the integrity of teams in the search for a lead. McLaren team boss Andrea Stella responded fiercely to Patrick’s claims and called them “unfounded and harmful” in an interview with Motorsport.com. He emphasized that McLaren fully complies with FIA regulations and that their car has been checked several times without violations.

Verstappen himself carefully commented over the controversy. In an exclusive interview with De Telegraaf at the end of 2024, he already hinted “Vals Spel” by some teams, without calling McLaren explicitly. He noted that his championship in 2024 was all the more impressive given the superior McLaren car in 70% of the season. During the Grand Prix of Belgium, where he finished fourth behind Piaastri, Norris and Charles Leclerc, Verstappen expressed his frustration about the Fia’s decision to postpone the race because of rain, a sentiment that was partially supported by George Russell, but not by Patrick’s claims about McLaren.

The reactions to Patrick’s statements are mixed. On X, fans of Verstappen supported her, with posts such as those of @f1fannl who state that “McLaren’s dominance seems suspicious”. Others, such as @racingtruth, call her comments “uninformed” and point to the lack of evidence. Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle, a colleague from Patrick, distanced himself from her position and emphasized that McLaren’s success comes from hard work and innovation, not from cheating. Former driver Michael Bleekemolen went even further and told F1Maximal that Verstappen in the MCL39 would be unbeatable, which underlines the power of McLaren’s car but also raises questions about the honesty of the competition.

The timing of Patrick’s outburst is remarkable, given the recent tensions around Red Bull after the resignation of Christian Horner and the transition to Laurent Mekies as a team boss. Horner’s lawsuit against the FIA, as reported by GP33, and his alleged threat to dismiss Patrick as a commentator, have further heated the atmosphere within the sport. Jos Verstappen’s recent explanation, in which he called for honesty in sport, seems to only strengthen the speculations about McLaren. While the Grand Prix is approaching the Netherlands, the question remains: are Patrick’s accusations a legitimate care or an attempt to defend Verstappen’s legacy? The Formula 1 community is eagerly awaiting answers, while McLaren and Verstappen are preparing for the next battle on the circuit.