venkyhere wrote: ↑18 Oct 2025, 01:08
If the Mclaren was setup in the same way, and it could be driven in the same way, it would be 0.2-0.3s faster than the Redbull you saw in this SQ3 lap. That's how much better the Mclaren actually is.
I think these are just hypotheticals that shouldn't be sold as facts in my opinion. Drivers have different preferences, and while some can better drive around issues, they’re quickest when the car suits their style. Red Bull isn’t doing any setup black magic, they’re simply tuning the car in a way their fastest driver feels most comfortable. Max excels with that kind of balance because it fits how he likes to drive. Max is quite vocal when the car isn't to his liking and we have seen that plenty of times this season too. But since Monza, he has always been happy with the balance.
There’s also no proof that a similar setup would even work on the McLaren, with or without Max. Those numbers are just speculation based on Max’s pace over his teammates these past 1.5 years. And unless there’s a source, I don't believe there’s any evidence McLaren tried anything wildly different in Monza. They just weren't fast enough.
A car is only as good as its best driver can exploit it, and since the Monza upgrade, Max has consistently been quicker than McLaren's fastest driver. That makes Red Bull + Max the stronger overall package right now.
The idea that Max could just hop into the McLaren tomorrow and instantly outperform both current drivers doesn’t really hold up in my opinion. If he’d been with them since pre-season shaping the car to his liking, sure I can agree that he probably would have the title wrapped up already. He is more consistent than both McLaren drivers and it's not unreasonable to think he would have had a more comfortable points cushion right now.
But anyway, looking at the situation as is at the moment, Red Bull in Max’s hands is not an inferior car to McLaren. And it hasn't been since Monza.
