During the Dutch Grand Prix of Formula 1, Max Verstappen shared his opinion on the small differences between drivers of the same team, asserting that the cars of this generation are easier to drive on the limit. His statements contrast with the opinions of Andrea Stella, McLaren’s director, who believes the narrative is different.
During the qualifying session in Zandvoort, Liam Lawson, who was substituting for Isack Hadjar, managed to qualify in eighth position, just a tenth behind Verstappen. Additionally, Yuki Tsunoda also stood out in his performance, demonstrating that the distances between drivers can be very tight with current vehicles.
Verstappen commented that the small time differences observed this season reflect the ease with which the vehicles allow finding the limit, adding that drivers are more likely to be close to each other. ‘It’s easier to adjust, especially in qualifications,’ he said. The Red Bull driver acknowledged that the season has been marked by very tight times between drivers, highlighting that the competition is tougher than ever.
However, despite Verstappen’s statements, Andrea Stella does not fully share this viewpoint. According to him, the 2026 cars remain difficult to handle due to the complexity of the new engine regulations, which add an additional layer of difficulty to driving. Stella explained that his drivers have rated the current vehicles as complicated to drive, with multiple factors influencing performance during races.
Stella noted that, despite teams improving their performance with greater aerodynamic load, the challenges in driving persist. ‘There are multiple angles that make this year more complicated. Instabilities in the brakes and the difficulty in managing power have significantly impacted driving,’ he added.
As the season progresses, the opinions and performances of drivers like Verstappen, Lawson, and Tsunoda will continue to draw attention, while the competition itself offers an increasingly exciting spectacle for Formula 1 fans.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
SourceID: SRC_e16791363187ccc3bd5a721561ba5a37791bb90b