Max Verstappen lands 'direct hit' on McLaren: 'They shouldn’t have bitten'

Martin Brundle believes Max Verstappen landed a "direct hit" on Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri with his provocative comments about McLaren after the Japanese Grand Prix.

The 65-year-old called it "clever psychology" from the Dutchman and maintains neither driver from the Woking squad should have "bitten" at the remarks.

Following his victory at Suzuka, the four-time F1 drivers' champion claimed he would have been out of sight had he been in the cockpit of the MCL39, not the Red Bull RB21.

Whilst Piastri insisted the same would have been the case had he or his team-mate taken pole, and that the McLaren is faster, Norris responded by inviting Verstappen - who has since doubled down on this original jibe - to try their car, arguing he would be "disappointed" by it.

The Red Bull driver has shown impressive form to start the season and to remain in the early drivers' title hunt despite the pace deficit to the papaya team.

His post-Suzuka comments show his willing to employ political gamesmanship to gain an advantage.

When asked why Verstappen instigated the trash talking with his comments, Brundle explained the likely twin motivations behind it.

"So it was twofold," Brundle told Sky Sports F1. "It was to give his team [Red Bull] a hurry up and to poke the two McLaren drivers.

"Direct hit, because they both went on the defensive. Risky strategy, because what Max is saying there to the 1500 people back at base, who've just given him a race winning car: 'Your car's not very good', and that can demotivate them.

"But then both McLaren drivers... Certainly Lando, sort of said a bit the same thing about his car: 'well have a go in it, you'll be disappointed, Max.'

"So they shouldn't have bitten on that one, I don't think. And it was quite clever psychology from Max."