McLaren respond to Max Verstappen claim: 'He is correct'

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has asserted Max Verstappen is “correct” in a recent claim regarding the Woking-based squad's car.

McLaren has enjoyed a successful campaign, winning 11 out of the 14 grands prix staged so far.

It has left it with significant leads in both the drivers' and constructors' championships with 10 rounds remaining in the season.

The car has been competitive at all events this year, but Verstappen recently stated the MCL39 challenger has a huge advantage when it comes to pace through medium-speed corners.

Stella admitted he is unable to argue against Verstappen's claim.

“That's an easy answer because it can be answered just by looking at the GPS data,” Stella told media including RacingNews365. 

“When you look at the speed comparison with some other teams, the data says that McLaren can generate the highest mid-corner speed in medium-speed corners. 

“So, I think the assessment of Max is correct.”

Despite its dominant position at the head of the pecking order this year, Stella asserted McLaren's car isn't without its shortcomings.

“We still have our weak points,” he said. 

“If you go on a very high-speed corner like Copse [at Silverstone], for instance, or Pouhon [at Spa], we are not the fastest car.

“Likewise, probably in very low speed, we are not the fastest car. 

“But the majority of corners in a championship happen to be medium-speed corners, and certainly in that range, our car is, data in hand, the best.”