Max Verstappen has addressed claims that McLaren are favouring Lando Norris over teammate Oscar Piastri in the F1 title race.
The final quarter of the 2025 Formula One season will begin on Friday evening as the United States Grand Prix gets underway at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas.
With only six race weekends left in the calendar, there is drama across the grid but none more so than at the top as McLaren teammates Piastri and Norris compete for the Drivers' Championship.
Following their dramatic clash during the previous race at Singapore's Marina Bay Street Circuit, tensions between the pair appear to be higher than ever, with just 22 points splitting them on the table.
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McLaren's reaction to the drama in Singapore led to many fans claiming that they were showing favouritism to Norris in the title race, something that current champion Max Verstappen addressed ahead of the US Grand Prix.
Throughout the season, much has been made of McLaren's famous 'papaya rules' which allowed both drivers to race each other on track so long as they keep the battle fair.
However, the Woking-based team's decision not to punish Norris after he briefly hit his teammate in Singapore following an aggressive attack from fifth place that saw him briefly hit his teammate led to criticism that they were favouring the Brit in the title race.
When asked if he thinks that is the case, and if it would help his chances of catching the pair in the race for the championship, Verstappen jokingly replied: “Absolutely.
“Does it help me? I don’t know. I honestly don’t know. I don’t care also, because it has nothing to do with me what they decide within the team, how they operate as a team.
“They do what they think is right and they do a very good job at it, of course being this quick and what they have done over the last few years.
“For me, what is important is that when we get to the race track we just maximise our potential. As long as we can do that, it’s in our control.”
Verstappen names his chances of winning the 2025 title
As it stands, Verstappen has scored 273 points this season, leaving him 41 points behind Norris and 63 between championship leader Piastri.
Therefore, despited Red Bull's recent improvements, many would say that Verstappen's chances of retaining his title are slim at best.
However, the Dutchman thinks otherwise, as he spoke out about his chances of winning the title ahead of the US Grand Prix.
"50-50, either I win it or I don’t,” Verstappen stated.
“It's not about believing in it, or not, it’s about being realistic. For most of the season it was definitely the case that we were not fighting for the championship.
“Lately we've had some good results, I know when the car is capable of being quick and at those races, I can be there. It’s as simple as that, I would say.”
Topics: Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, Formula 1, Red Bull Racing
Ben McCrum