Ex-F1 Team Boss Pinpoints 1% Factor in Max Verstappen’s Pole Laptimes

Former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner insisted that Max Verstappen was capitalizing on the 1% factor to take pole positions in 2025.


Ex-F1 Team Boss Pinpoints 1% Factor in Max Verstappen’s Pole Laptimes

Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)

Max Verstappen and Red Bull are no longer the dominant force in Formula 1. The highly successful pairing that achieved incredible success in the past few years now trail behind McLaren. Verstappen, who’s trying to win a fifth world championship in a row, is struggling to fight for victories against Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Albeit, he did manage to grab pole position at Miami GP. Now, former F1 team boss Guenther Steiner has hinted at the reason behind Verstappen’s shock pole.

Firstly, Steiner gave a stern warning to Norris and Piastri over fighting Verstappen. The former Haas boss asserted that the Red Bull driver becomes ‘Super Max’ when it comes to one-lap pace in Qualifying. As the 27-year-old leaves no stone unturned to extract maximum pace out of the car.

You always have to see you’re racing against the best of the best, and that is Max. Max can be super Max on a qualifying lap.

Guenther Steiner said on the Red Flags podcast

However, when it came to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, Guenther Steiner suggested that the two McLaren drivers were avoiding risks during Qualifying. Both drivers are aware of the pace advantage they have when it comes to the race, and as such do not mind losing pole to Max Verstappen.

So much so, that according to Steiner, Norris and Piastri were racing at 99% in qualifying. This allows Max Verstappen to capitalize on the remaining 1% to clinch pole position. Nevertheless when it came to the race, the real pace of the McLarens would be back once again.

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? 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… 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.

Guenther Steiner explained

Guenther Steiner declares Max Verstappen’s an ‘animal’ in racing duels

Max Verstappen is infamous for his aggressive approach to driving. The reigning world champion does not hold back from going to the limit during wheel-to-wheel battles. At the Miami GP, Lando Norris hit out at the Dutchman over their duel, claiming that Verstappen ruined his own race with his driving. Although, the Red Bull star has made it clear that he does follow the rules during on-track battles.

Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (via Red Bull content pool)
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen (image via Red Bull content pool)

Guenther Steiner claimed that the rest of the grid could never be so sure if they’ll be able to defeat Verstappen in an upcoming corner. The 60-year-old asserted that the four-time world champion can be an ‘animal’ on-track, with no other driver being capable of matching his pace.

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

Guenther Steiner added

Max Verstappen is not going to change the way he races. The Dutchman will continue to show aggression on-track in a bid to maximize results. Of course, this has led to Verstappen losing out in a few situations. Yet, he remains convinced that this is the best way for him in Formula 1. However, such aggression can become more frustrating if the four-time world champion fails to make progress against the two McLarens in the coming races.

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