Try GOLD - Free
McLaren need a strategy relook with Max on rampage
The Straits Times
|October 21, 2025
Does Max Verstappen's late-season rampage mean that McLaren's hope of adding their first world championship for drivers since Lewis Hamilton's 2008 title may now be destined to fail?
Red Bull's Max Verstappen hoisting the longhorn bull skull trophy after winning the United States GP in Austin, Texas on Oct 19. With five grands prix left, he is just 40 points behind Oscar Piastri (346) and 26 adrift of Lando Norris. PHOTO: AFP
(AFP)
Well, consider this: In the last five race weekends, he and the once-recalcitrant Red Bull RB21 have scored 119 points. Lando Norris' score in the once-omnipotent McLaren MCL39 is 57, Oscar Piastri's 62. With two grands prix with sprint races left (33 points maximum per driver in each) and three normal races (25 points ditto), there are 141 available, and Verstappen is only 40 behind Piastri (346) and 26 adrift of Norris.
Did the reigning champion ever envisage such a turnround in his fortunes after his home race in Zandvoort, when he was 104 points adrift of Piastri? If someone had suggested such a preposterous possibility, would he have believed them?
“No,” he laughed. “I would have told him he was an idiot. But, yeah, we found a good way with the car. It’s simple as that.
This story is from the October 21, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times
The Straits Times
Philippine death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi tops 100
The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi in the central Philippines climbed past 100 on Nov 5 as the devastating impact on Cebu province became clearer after the worst flooding in recent memory.
2 mins
November 06, 2025
The Straits Times
Parliament passes online harms Bill after more than 8 hours of debate
New agency will tackle 13 types of online harms; WP amendments voted down
4 mins
November 06, 2025
The Straits Times
US govt shutdown reaches 36 days, longest on record
Economic pain deepens as stalemate over healthcare and spending continues
4 mins
November 06, 2025
The Straits Times
Aeroline coach service's suspension exposes cracks in KL transport policy
Ban on express bus pickups and drop-offs in city's downtown areas draws criticism
3 mins
November 06, 2025
The Straits Times
Schools * Consider implementing a 'right to disconnect' for teachers
I refer to the article “Long hours, huge stress and VIPs (very involved parents). So what keeps a teacher in S’pore going?”, Oct 22.
1 min
November 06, 2025
The Straits Times
Zohran Mamdani's New York win challenges both Trump and Democrats
The first city of finance has a committed socialist at the helm of city affairs.
6 mins
November 06, 2025
The Straits Times
PEAKING RYBAKINA REMAINS PERFECT
Kazakh gaining confidence with every win as she makes it 3 out of 3 at WTA Finals
3 mins
November 06, 2025
The Straits Times
Phishing for trouble: Physical bank token is no silver bullet
The latest effort to counter phishing could rattle less tech-savvy customers. It also needs a digital ecosystem to work.
6 mins
November 06, 2025
The Straits Times
Kenneth Tiong apologises to Chee Hong Tat on ‘stupid question’ comment in House
Workers’ Party MP Kenneth Tiong apologised to National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat on Nov 5 for calling his question “stupid” in Parliament.
2 mins
November 06, 2025
The Straits Times
Global financial stability risks elevated despite resilience: MAS
Singapore companies, households and banks have the financial strength to weather shocks to incomes and financing costs, but they have to remain vigilant given the highly uncertain global environment.
2 mins
November 06, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size