Max Verstappen makes 'cut a corner' claim over McLaren pace

Max Verstappen has claimed he would need to "cut a corner" to match the pace Oscar Piastri displayed in the closing stages of the sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix.

The Dutchman will start the full-length race at the Lusail International Circuit from third, behind the two McLarens, but is concerned his Red Bull will not be able to take the fight to the papaya pair.

Lando Norris, who leads the F1 drivers' championship, will line up second, behind pole-sitter Piastri. Verstappen must find a way past the British driver if he is to keep his fading hopes of a fifth successive title alive for the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

The 28-year-old is 25 points adrift of the McLaren driver. If that gap grows by even a solitary point, his challenge will be over.

The MCL39 has been the class of the field so far in Qatar, whilst Verstappen has needed to wrangle more from his RB21 than it wants to give, something that will be difficult to maintain across 57 laps and a relentless pace, on account of Pirelli's 25-lap stint maximum mandate — ensuring at least two pit stops — due to tyre concerns.

Because the track in Lusail is so fast and flowing, overtaking will be at a premium. Therefore, Verstappen's best chance of making the move he must lies at the first corner.

When asked by media, including RacingNew365, how vital passing Norris into Turn 1 is, he quipped back: "Well, if I don't pass him, then he scores more points than me."

Addressing whether there will be opportunities later in the race, Verstappen was not optimistic.

"It will be tough," the 69-time grand prix winner said. "In the sprint as well, I tried, but then we just fall into that window where we just struggle a lot on the tyres, and we don't seem to really be able to keep up."

Using the diverging performance of his car compared to Piastri's during the sprint to make his case, Verstappen argued he would need to break the rules to keep put with the Australian's pace.

He added: "And also, the final laps of Oscar in the sprint, I need to cut a corner to do that.

"So, it will be maybe a little bit better, but yeah, it will be tough, I think. But let's see. It’s a long race. Anything can happen."