Max Verstappen sets Belgian GP target against 'unbeatable' McLaren

Max Verstappen is targeting a podium finish in the Belgian Grand Prix, believing the McLarens could be "unbeatable" at Spa. 

Verstappen did win the Sprint race from second on the grid, but was using a low downforce rear-wing, which enabled him to use his superior top speed to blast past Oscar Piastri on the opening lap to seize a lead he would never lose.

However, for qualifying, Red Bull reverted to a higher downforce wing, in anticipation of heavy rain in the grand prix, with Verstappen fourth on the grid, behind Lando Norris, Piastri, and Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen believes a third-place finish is his most realistic finishing position - a placing he had taken just twice in the last 108 races, stretching back to when he finished third at the 2020 Portuguese GP. 

This came at the 2022 Monaco and 2024 United States GPs, with a third in the 2023 Azerbaijan GP Sprint. 

Analysing his race chances, Verstappen was sure his afternoon would be spent battling with Leclerc's Ferrari.

"Normally, McLaren is even stronger in the wet than in the dry," Verstappen told media, including RacingNews365. 

"It is because the overheating [of the tyre] is even [worse] on an intermediate, and they have that really well under control - so for me, the goal is at least P3.

"They're still miles ahead in terms of tyre management, and if you have, you are almost unbeatable.

"It depends on the weather, if it is wet and starts to dry out, then there will be chaos and naturally some overtaking, but if you get stuck in a DRS train, it can be quite painful. 

"I think my battle, if it is wet or dry, will be with Charles. If I get held up with Charles, then the McLarens are already 10 seconds up the road, so we just need to target a podium - I think that is realistic."