Chandhok sees Verstappen mentally testing rivals McLaren: '1-0 to Max!

09:30, 13 Apr

byKada Sarkozi

After the Japanese Grand Prix, where he achieved his first victory of the season, Max Verstappen sent a clear message to the McLaren drivers. Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok sees the psychological battle has also begun this season.

A week ago at the Suzuka Circuit in Japan, Max Verstappen crossed the finish line ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Afterwards, the Dutchman confidently declared that he would have won more confidently in the McLaren car.

Both McLaren drivers responded afterwards. First, the Australian said: "Yes, it was a bit of a joke." Meanwhile, Norris offered Verstappen a chance to drive his car, and that he is ready to see him disappointed afterwards.

Former F1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Chandhok already sees that the Dutchman wanted to achieve two things with this message. "One was a message to his own team which was 'I won you this race but I'm going to need a car that's quicker than this if you want me to win the world championship'," he began.

He also sees that the mental battle between the rivals is also underway. "But he was also playing a psychological game with Lando and Oscar and, to be honest, they bit. It was 1-0 there for Max in that little needle game."

Qualifying in Bahrain didn't go well for Verstappen, Piastri is on P1

Oscar Piastri managed to capitalise on McLaren's pace at the Bahrain International Circuit, and will start from pole position this Sunday, topping every session from FP2 onwards.

Norris had a more difficult Q3 session, as he only finished in P6. Therefore, similarly to how a single point separates the Briton from Verstappen, only a single position separates them on the grid as well.

The Dutchman qualified in P7, and was clearly not satisfied with the RB21 afterwards.