Max Verstappen has reiterated the stance that he is not in contention to win the championship in Formula 1 in 2025 amid his conviction that McLaren is “unbeatable”. Verstappen ventured into last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix insistent that he isn’t embroiled in a straight title battle against McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

Moments later, Verstappen ran wide at Turn 1 as George Russell dived up the inside and the pair made contact. The Red Bull took to the run-off area, but rejoined still ahead of Russell. It put Verstappen at risk of a penalty, prompting Lambiase to ask him to give the place back.

Verstappen has now accrued 11 points, with 12 to a driver’s name over 12 months triggering a race ban. Kevin Magnussen, driving for Haas last year, missed the 2024 Azerbaijan GP