Formula 1 world champion Verstappen is frustrated.

Who now? It does not seem to be quite anywhere who can take on the leadership role at McLaren. It is undisputed that the renowned team’s vehicle is the fastest in the Formula 1 field. On almost every race track, McLaren seems to think about what happens from time to time in the premier class. Mercedes dominated for a long time before Red Bull took over. And now McLaren.

What is new, however, is that the team has not yet committed itself to a title candidate. Unlike Red Bull, where it is clear that Max Verstappen is the regent. Or as before Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, whose dominance was only endangered in the Nico Rosberg team’s own team. McLaren, however, has two pilots whose skills are sufficient to become world champions. The team will have to be able to moderate the competition as best as possible.

Lando Norris seemed number one in the British team before the start of the season. Because he was a hardest adversary last season, but ultimately had to congratulate the Dutch on the title. This year the time of Norris came. Superior car, lots of talent – the mix should be enough for the title.

Piatri drives remarkably constant

In your own team, however, a rival grows with Oscar Piatri, the skills of which are undisputed. Since his success on Sunday evening in Bahrain, he has been the only driver who has won two races so far this season. He is still three points behind Norris in the World Cup ranking in second place, but his consistency is remarkable. He made significantly fewer mistakes than his teammate.

In 2023 Piatri celebrated his Formula 1 debut in Bahrain. Since then he has driven 50 races, which is by no means the wealth of experience that many colleagues consume. Piatri does not look like it could worry him. On the contrary: it exudes calm. Quite the cool Australian.

On Sunday he shone with a start-finish victory. So he used his pole position after the qualification for the perfect race. « It was a great weekend for everyone, and it’s a great place for it. So I’m sure everyone will enjoy it as it should be, » said the 24-year-old.

While Piatri celebrated with his team, there was frustration a few meters away. Sitting in his company car, Max Verstappen had already started with his relentless criticism. He kept shook his head as if he couldn’t believe what had happened in Bahrain. Only sixth place, which alone already frustrates the four -time world champion. The accompanying circumstances worried even more. « Basically everything went wrong. The start, the pit stops, the pace, just everything, » said Verstappen, and even let himself be carried away to speak of « a disaster ».

The Red Bull racing car is far from the ideas of Verstappen. Aerodynamically, the team lags behind the competition, and weaknesses are also technically shown. On Sunday there was also the fact that the traffic light system at Red Bull bitched in the pit lane, which meant unnecessarily long standing times during pit stop. Not acceptable for Verstappen-especially since he has now slipped in third place in the World Cup ranking.

Change to Mercedes again in conversation

The mood of the world champion was bad. In such moments, the rumors inevitably come up again that the Dutch could soon have enough of Red Bull. In his contract, an exit clause is said to be anchored that can move Verstappen if Red Bull should not provide him with a title -capable car. A possible change to Mercedes is always talked about, although team boss Toto Wolff always denies this.

The people in charge at Red Bull are still concerned. « In the near future, improvements have to come that he has a car with which he can win, » said Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko to the TV station Sky. Verstappen himself does not want to know anything about saying goodbye. « We have to hold out and try to improve the situation. At the moment we are stuck a bit, » said the 27-year-old.

It is only thanks to his driver class that the distance to the McLaren pilots is not yet too big. A week ago in Japan, Verstappen had surprisingly won, in Saudi Arabia he expects more equal opportunities on Easter Sunday. And Piatri hopes for the next coup. He may then be McLaren’s title candidate number one.