McLaren drivers dealt major '1%' Max Verstappen warning

Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner has dealt Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri a warning, that Max Verstappen will qualify ahead if given "1%" margin.

McLaren has proven to have the strongest car on the grid this season, which has resulted in the Woking-based team winning five of the six completed races. 

Four of those victories have been claimed by championship leader Piastri, with Norris having won once. Verstappen, despite not having a car as strong as the MCL39, did win in Japan. 

He secured a special Japanese Grand Prix victory after starting from pole position, something he has done on three occasions this year. 

Whilst McLaren's race pace has been untouchable, it has been beatable over one lap, particularly from Verstappen.  

Steiner believes that neither McLaren driver has given it absolutely everything they have in qualifying, opening the door to Verstappen to start ahead.

"You always have to see you're racing against the best of the best, and that is Max," Steiner said on the Red Flags podcast. "Max can be super Max on a qualifying lap. 

"So, I think they're both very good, but in qualifying, and also when you know you don't need to take the big risks, why would you do it? You know? 

"You say, even if I'm not on pole in the race, I'm still pretty safe to get [to the front]. It's maybe a little bit, I wouldn't say cautious, but you're not like saying I go 100%, I go 99%, and then if you give 1% to Max, he will be in front of you."

Verstappen qualifying on the front row has proven to be dangerous for McLaren this season, with the Dutchman also being ready to fight.

"I think even if you have Max beside you, you're not sure if get to the first corner fastest, because he's just like, he's this animal," added Steiner."