“I Do Not Make a Joke”: Max Verstappen Reveals Red Bull’s Extensive Development Plans as McLaren Boys Leave the 2x Champ With a Mighty Scare

An F1-inspired movie commenced its filming at the British GP last weekend. But what really happened on track during the weekend seemed like it came straight out of a film because stuff like that only happens on the big screen. No one was ready for the surprise that came with the British GP weekend—not even reigning world champion Max Verstappen. What was it? McLaren went from competing at the back of the midfield to challenging Verstappen in the Red Bull in a matter of weeks, the duo crossing the line in P2 and P4.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella announced a significant upgrade package the team would bring to the MCL60 at the Austrian, British, and Hungarian GP. After Lando Norris’ performance in Austria with the updates, McLaren was hopeful of its chances in Silverstone. And with Norris’ P2 and Oscar Piastri’s P3 in qualifying, followed by their P2 and P4 finishes, respectively, Max Verstappen sensed danger.

Max Verstappen & Co. are set to bring upgrades to Hungary

McLaren’s sudden improvement in form raised questions around the paddock, with teams questioning their own capabilities. Aston Martin, Mercedes, and Ferrari have been trying to do what McLaren pulled off since the start of the season, but even they couldn’t take that big a step toward Red Bull after 10 races. And McLaren did it in two. Considering there’s still a long way to go to catch Red Bull, and the Milton-Keynes team doesn’t necessarily need upgrades to improve further, Verstappen revealed they’ll bring upgrades to Budapest.

After the race, as quoted by f1maximaal.nl, Verstappen said, “It’s very confusing for me, because every race weekend someone else is fast. I think it’s because it’s so close together, if you set up your car a little bit better, it works on a given track.” Despite the scare from McLaren—with Norris almost out-qualifying him and overtaking him for the lead at the start of the race, with Piastri charging behind him—Verstappen squeezed out the win. 

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While talking about the Hungarian GP in two weeks, he said, “I honestly don’t know what will happen in Hungary, who will be fast or the second fastest. Hungary is a completely different circuit, we will put some upgrades on the car, and hopefully, they will work well. Drag, low speed, high speed, DRS effect, tire wear—we are working on all those areas. I do not make a joke.” Even though McLaren’s pace came as a scare to the Dutchman, he was mightly impressed by both drivers.

Max Verstappen was pleasantly surprised by the McLaren duo

McLaren’s pace during qualifying came as a threat to everyone. But no one thought it would be anywhere near Red Bull and Verstappen’s pace. But it was. In the final run of Q3,  Norris pipped Verstappen for provisional pole. The reigning champion didn’t seem to be improving in the first two sectors, but he pulled it together in the final sector and reclaimed pole position. 

After seeing Piastri in P3, he said during a post-qualifying interview, “I was quite surprised to see the two McLarens up there with me.” And McLaren’s race pace, coupled with Norris’ P2, elicited a similar reaction post-race as well. He said, “Both McLarens were super quick.” 

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McLaren would want to continue to take the fight to Red Bull every weekend, but with Red Bull’s impending upgrades, will the Woking team be able to keep doing what it did in Silverstone?