“Max realises Oscar’s a different deal”- Former F1 legend Martin Brundle analyses Max Verstappen’s race against the McLarens

While the two McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, are racing against each other, the F1 ace driver with Red Bull, Max Verstappen has very carefully understood who he has to fight. F1 legend and British driver Martin Brundle reveals that Max Verstappen has most importantly, realised that Oscar Piastri is a different deal altogether.With not even half the season completed, F1 is getting much more interesting, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri rallying hard, and ensuring nobody could reach his level. Oscar Piastri is working out well, ensuring he is incredibly fast. While he remains calm behind his wheels, F1 World Champion Max Verstappen has been rallying behind, and it is important for him to understand who his actual threat is.Oscar Piastri has the fastest car, and there is no doubt about that. He has overtaken Max Verstappen while everybody else on the grid is just struggling behind. Martin Brundle, speaking on Sky Sports, regarding Max Verstappen’s different approach towards Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, said he approaches the two differently. He said:“I think he (Verstappen) knows that there’s something a bit more street fighter about Oscar Piastri, he saw it in Jeddah.”Further, Brundle said:“I think Max knows he’s got a different animal when Oscar’s in his mirrors, not by much, than Lando. Just (in terms of the) positioning of the car, there’s a decisiveness about what he did (overtaking Verstappen in Miami).”He added:“You can’t criticise Lando’s race craft because the way he passed the Mercedes and eventually Max was just top drawer. But I have absolutely no doubt, and just what he says as well, that Max realises Oscar’s a different deal in wheel to wheel combat.”McLaren’s boss, Zak Brown, recently said he called Max Verstappen’s manager to check if he might leave Red Bull. He says it’s his job to explore all driver options. In an interview with De Telegraaf, he said:“Oh yes, about that call… It is my job to explore the market and to know what is going on.”Further, he said:“We have to remember that at that time I was also negotiating a new contract with my own driver [Piastri]."He added:“I want to be able to estimate whether a possible stone may fall, which can cause a domino effect. Because that could rekindle interest in my driver. That’s the reason I inquired. I’m a happy camper.”Verstappen also confirmed that Brown hadn’t reached out to him personally, but rather his manager. He told Viaplay: “Yes, but I think that didn’t last long, When he knew how much he would have to pay, it was over immediately.”Also Read: Carlos Sainz Sr reportedly eyeing FIA presidency ahead of high-stakes 2025 election showdown