Max Verstappen has claimed he would still have won the Formula 1 drivers' championship in 2024 and before the Las Vegas Grand Prix if he had driven the McLaren.
Verstappen won his fourth consecutive drivers' title this weekend, with a fifth-place finish enough to ensure Lando Norris could no longer make up his points tally.
The Dutchman's latest title was sealed despite Red Bull's competitiveness plummeting mid-season and McLaren taking over as the team to beat.
But while McLaren took the opportunity to take the lead in the constructors' championship, Verstappen was able to maintain a considerable advantage over Norris.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown claimed earlier in the year that Verstappen would not have won his previous titles in other cars, that excellent F1 remained necessary for such an achievement.
Verstappen admitted that Brown's comments provided him with extra motivation, and said his run to the crown would have been easier with McLaren's MCL38! A tackle for Zak Brown but also Lando Norris…
“Things like that only motivate me. If people are critical and think I can only win with the best car, I proved them wrong with this title.”
“If I don’t get rewarded for this now, I don’t know what else I can do.”
“Would I have become champion with the McLaren? Yes! And much earlier too. In 2021, with another car (the Mercedes), I would also have won the title.”
“In 2022 it would have been more difficult, because Ferrari was perhaps a little too fragile at that time. And last year? Well, it would have been a little trickier, we were really dominating with the Red Bull .”
When asked if anyone else could have won the 2024 title with this wayward Red Bull, Verstappen joked: “Well, we're in the right place to answer that question here in Vegas, because you can bet on it! All I can say is I wish them luck with that…”
How did he celebrate his title last night? What does he feel?
“I had four beers and two gin and tonics to start. But we have two races to follow and a hell of a time difference with Qatar.”
“Mostly I feel relief. The race wasn't great, but actually it was better than I expected. I will achieve much more after Abu Dhabi.”
