Max Verstappen is convinced McLaren will remain out of reach in the 2025 Formula 1 season as one of Red Bull's final upgrade packages hasn't solved its car's core issues.
Verstappen kept himself in the mix at Spa-Francorchamps by splitting the McLarens in sprint qualifying, and used his low-downforce set-up to pass polesitter Oscar Piastri and then remained ahead for the entire 15-lap contest.
He then qualified fourth on Saturday afternoon for the grand prix, citing a sudden loss of grip in a warmer Q3 segment that led to two costly slip-ups, and meant he dropped behind both McLarens as well as Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
Having already upgraded its floor, front wing and rear corner winglets, Red Bull brought what will be one of its last 2025 upgrade packages featuring a reprofiled front wing and bodywork tweaks, raising the car's overall downforce level.
But Verstappen felt that, while the new parts worked as planned, they had not significantly improved the RB21's balance issues he has been so vocal about.
"I think they work, but it still doesn't give me the balance I want to really attack a corner," he said. "Those problems remain the same in terms of balance."
In public, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has remained optimistic about Verstappen's seemingly remote chances to fight the McLarens for a fifth consecutive championship.
"There are still 12 races to go, and we will continue to fight for the drivers’ championship as long as it's mathematically possible," he said before the weekend, before telling broadcaster ORF after the sprint race: "Our goal remains the same: we want to win the world championship. We’ve already gained one point."
When those comments were put to him, Verstappen was far less convinced he can bridge Piastri's 68-point lead with the machinery he has at his disposal. "But Helmut isn't in the car!" he said. "I understand that you have to be positive, but I'm always very realistic about how I feel in the car. When I watch certain onboards from other cars, I know enough..."
Assessing his chances in a wet Belgian GP, a downbeat Verstappen said he felt the British GP showed McLaren's tyre advantage only gets bigger in mixed conditions.
Photos from Belgian GP - Race
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