Max Verstappen Claims He Could Have Secured Fourth Title Sooner With McLaren Instead Of Red Bull

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Max Verstappen expressed confidence that he could have secured his fourth world championship earlier if he had been driving for McLaren instead of Red Bull. He clinched this year's title at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, finishing fifth, just ahead of his main competitor, Lando Norris. This victory placed him alongside Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel with four world titles. Only Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Juan Manuel Fangio have more.

Despite winning eight races this season, Verstappen's latest triumph came in challenging wet conditions at Interlagos. This performance nearly ended Norris' chances of catching up. If Verstappen doesn't win another race this season, he'll be the F1 champion with the fewest victories since 2012 when Vettel won with just five victories.

Verstappen's season was not without its difficulties. Although he won seven of the first ten races, he experienced a dry spell before his Brazilian Grand Prix victory. He went nine races without securing a pole position and ten without a win, marking his longest streak since 2020 when he faced 17 qualifying rounds without a pole and 11 consecutive races without a victory.

After securing the championship on Sunday, Verstappen expressed pride in retaining the title despite not having the fastest car for most of the season. He noted that they still managed to extend their lead during this period. This sentiment was evident when McLaren's CEO, Zak Brown, congratulated him during an interview.

Brown had previously stated in an interview that Verstappen couldn't win the championship in any car other than Red Bull. Responding to Dutch media later, Verstappen said such comments only motivate him further. "If people are critical and think that I can only win in the best car, then I prove the opposite," he remarked.

Verstappen added that if he doesn't receive credit now, he's unsure what else he can do to prove himself. He confidently stated that he would have become champion with McLaren much earlier.

Looking ahead to the Qatar Grand Prix, Verstappen has another opportunity to make history. By finishing fourth or higher, he'll join Hamilton and Vettel as one of only three drivers in Formula 1 history to surpass 3000 points.

As Verstappen continues to celebrate his achievements this season, his focus remains on proving critics wrong and achieving even greater milestones in Formula 1 racing.