Verstappen links smaller team-mate gaps to easier-to-drive 2026 cars
Max Verstappen said the reduced gaps between team-mates in 2026 are being aided by cars he considers easier to drive at the limit. His comments followed notable stand-in performances at Zandvoort, while McLaren team boss Andrea Stella took a different view.
Verstappen said the smaller gaps between team-mates this season are being helped by the current generation of cars being easier to drive on the limit. Andrea Stella disagreed with that assessment.
The discussion followed stand-in appearances at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Liam Lawson, filling in for the injured Isack Hadjar in a one-off Red Bull outing, qualified eighth and was one tenth slower than Verstappen.
The same broader question was also raised around reserve driver Yuki Tsunoda and other strong stand-in performances, with some asking whether Formula 1 has become too easy in 2026.
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