The Formula 1 world is buzzing after Max Verstappen dropped a bombshell following his commanding victory at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Red Bull star, fresh off a masterclass performance in Suzuka, sent shockwaves through the paddock by claiming he’d be untouchable if he were behind the wheel of McLaren’s MCL39. “You wouldn’t see me anymore,” Verstappen quipped, suggesting that McLaren’s car could unlock an even higher level of dominance for the four-time world champion. This bold statement has ignited debates, stirred rivalries, and left fans wondering: could Verstappen really elevate McLaren to invincible heights?
Verstappen’s confidence stems from McLaren’s blistering pace in the 2025 season. The Woking-based team has emerged as a powerhouse, with Lando Norris leading the drivers’ championship by a razor-thin one-point margin over Verstappen heading into Bahrain. McLaren’s two wins in three races and a 36-point lead in the constructors’ standings have made them the team to beat. Their car’s superior tyre management and straight-line speed have rivals, including Red Bull, scrambling to keep up. Verstappen, never one to shy away from mind games, clearly believes McLaren’s machinery could amplify his already formidable skills.
Lando Norris, however, wasn’t having it. The McLaren star hit back with a mix of defiance and wit, inviting Verstappen to test the MCL39. “He can come and drive it any day,” Norris said, cheekily adding that Verstappen would be “disappointed” by the result. Norris insists the McLaren isn’t the unbeatable beast Verstappen imagines, pointing to areas where the team still needs to improve. His teammate, Oscar Piastri, echoed the sentiment, suggesting the Japanese Grand Prix might have played out differently had McLaren’s strategy been more aggressive. The tension is palpable, with McLaren’s drivers determined to prove their car’s success is as much about their talent as its speed.
The paddock has taken notice, with Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle calling Verstappen’s comment a “direct hit” that rattled McLaren. Brundle believes Verstappen’s jab was calculated, designed to unsettle Norris and Piastri while subtly questioning Red Bull’s RB21, which has struggled with tyre degradation and balance. Meanwhile, controversy swirls around McLaren’s rear wing, with footage suggesting it flexes more than Red Bull’s, prompting whispers of a technical edge. Verstappen, cautious after past FIA scrutiny, sidestepped the issue, saying he trusts the regulators to handle it.
As the F1 circus rolls into Bahrain, all eyes are on whether McLaren can maintain their edge or if Verstappen’s Red Bull can claw back ground. The Dutchman’s claim has added fuel to an already fiery championship battle, with Norris and Piastri eager to silence their rival on the track. One thing’s certain: Verstappen’s words have raised the stakes, turning an intense title fight into a full-blown saga. Could he really dominate in McLaren orange? Or is this just the champion stirring the pot? The answers lie on the asphalt, and the world is watching.[](https://www.planetf1.com/news/mclaren-jab-back-at-max-verstappen-throwing-fuel-on-the-fire-in-mcl39-claim)[](https://www.news18.com/amp/sports/he-can-test-it-any-day-lando-norris-challenges-max-verstappen-after-mclaren-car-claim-9296267.html)[](https://www.crash.net/f1/news/1067298/1/clever-max-verstappen-lauded-direct-hit-mclaren-pair)
