McLaren handed crushing verdict as Max Verstappen pressure intensifies: 'It's obvious'

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher has handed McLaren a crushing verdict that it is "obvious" its performance advantage has ended, with the pressure from Max Verstappen intensifying. 

While McLaren sealed the constructors' championship in Singapore, the Woking-based outfit has failed to claim a race win in the last four events. 

Three of the last four grands prix have been won by Verstappen, with the Dutchman having taken 64 points out of his deficit to Oscar Piastri since Monza. 

Ahead of the Italian GP, the four-time world champion was 104 points adrift of the Australian, a gap which has reduced to just 40 points. 

The momentum is very much in Verstappen and Red Bull's favour, making the 28-year-old have a real shot at claiming a record-equalling fifth consecutive drivers' title. 

In Schumacher's eyes, McLaren are in a real period of difficulty, with both drivers having faced recent struggles.

"You almost get the feeling that they themselves don't know where they stand, because their dominance has disappeared overnight," Schumacher told the Backstage Boxengasse podcast.

"Both drivers are struggling in qualifying, sometimes even more than during the race. But now they are struggling even during the race. 

"Just look at Lando Norris: how long it took him to pass [Charles] Leclerc. The dominance is gone, it's obvious. 

"You can also see it in the reactions: Zak Brown is no longer as relaxed as he normally is, and Andrea Stella not at all."

McLaren's new problem

With Verstappen back in the title fight, it has been speculated whether the papaya squad could decide to favour either Piastri or Norris. 

According to Schumacher, that decision is no longer possible, due to how close McLaren has allowed its drivers to get in the championship.

Discussing that McLaren has not introduced a number one driver this season, Schumacher added: "You can't favour anyone now, and it will probably only get harder between Piastri and Norris. 

"I'm curious to see how they are going to resolve that, especially when it affects performance on the track."