Max Verstappen starts from the best possible position - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen doubles down on well-known McLaren quip: 'That's just a fact!'

09:57, 14 Dec

byTobia Elia

Max Verstappen remains firmly convinced that, had he been behind the wheel of the MCL39, no rival would have stood a chance.

“That’s just a fact! It’s not meant to poke anyone. Not consciously, not subconsciously. It’s simply a fact”

- Max Verstappen

After winning the Japanese Grand Prix early in the season, the Dutchman took a subtle swipe at the two McLaren drivers, saying that “you wouldn’t see me anymore!” if he had been driving the MCL39.

Speaking to Formule1, the four-time world champion, still reeling from his title loss in Abu Dhabi, maintains exactly the same view: “That’s just a fact! It’s not meant to poke anyone. Not consciously, not subconsciously. It’s simply a fact. No one has to agree with it, but that’s how I see it. That’s my opinion.”

He then added: “Some people might not like hearing it, but that’s not really my problem in the end. I’m not saying it to bait or provoke anyone, but when I’m asked something, I usually just give an answer. And yes, it’s a fact.”

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen joins Hamilton in rare F1 statistic after Abu Dhabi title defeat

By winning the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen equaled Lewis Hamilton’s tally for the second-highest number of victories in a single campaign. Yet, much like Hamilton did on two separate occasions, he still didn’t secure the World Championship that year.

Back in 2016, Hamilton, despite taking eight wins, lost the title battle to his teammate Nico Rosberg, who promptly retired from Formula 1 afterward.

Five years later, in 2021, Hamilton once again fell short of the championship, this time trailing Verstappen despite winning ten races.

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