Max Verstappen issues Chinese Grand Prix ‘retirement’ pl….read more
Max Verstappen has issued a damning verdict about his chances of victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, suggesting his competitors will need to ‘retire’ for him to win.
The Dutchman has bemoaned the pace of his RB21 throughout the season so far, despite his results not proving to be too bad early on in the championship fight.In China, the 27-year-old managed a podium during the sprint race before qualifying a very handy fourth for the main race, having come within less than a second of winning last weekend’s Australian GP behind Lando Norris.
However, Verstappen does not believe he will have enough at the Shanghai International Circuit to challenge the McLarens or the Mercedes cars in the main race, being asked by Sky Sports F1 after qualifying on Saturday how he will win the race. “If they all retire in front of me,” Verstappen quipped.
The lap was alright but it was very difficult to get a consistent balance out of it every lap, every corner basically. It was tough. But we are working on it and trying to do better.
“I feel comfortable, confident, but sometimes my input is not what I’m getting back from the car and that makes it quite difficult to nail every corner.
“Then in the race, when it’s not doing that, you’re degrading your tyres harder than cars around you and that’s not ideal.”
Who do you think will win the F1 2025 drivers’ title?
Lewis Hamilton (GOAT is crowned)33%
Lando Norris (The new British star in town)26%
George Russell (Time to shine at Mercedes)2%
Liam Lawson (Ready to step up)1%
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari’s REAL No 1)6%
Oscar Piastri (Best is yet to come)6%
Kimi Antonelli (Lewis who?)1%
Fernando Alonso (It’s 2005 again, BABY!)2%
Max Verstappen (…again)24%
