Verstappen: "If my father managed McLaren, there wouldn't be any regulations."

      "My father would be perfectly suited for Formula 1, without a doubt."

      Max Verstappen humorously stated that if his father Jos were in charge of McLaren, the team’s ongoing rivalry between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris would be managed in a much different manner. Speaking to Dutch media in Austin, Verstappen, who is currently vying against the two McLarens in the championship, remarked that his father's straightforward style would leave no space for internal politics. "I think he would make an excellent team principal," Max chuckled. "He can be a bit fiery at times, but I believe many people would benefit from a figurative kick in the backside, you know.

      "My father would fit perfectly in Formula 1, 100 percent. However, he doesn’t want that – being away from home so often is tough. He’s already done it once, and with family at home, it’s just not practical."

      When asked how Jos would handle the situation at McLaren following the clash between Norris and Piastri in Singapore, Verstappen joked, "I know exactly how my father operates – there wouldn't be any rules. Just put the pedal to the metal."

      These remarks come as tensions rise at McLaren after Norris’s aggressive maneuver on Piastri in Singapore resulted in contact and subsequent internal fallout. Norris acknowledged in Austin that there had been "repercussions for myself," but maintained that the team's racing philosophy "remains unchanged."

      Piastri, who is still leading the world championship, remarked that the incident "was not the way we want to race as a team," adding that it had been resolved internally. "Lando has taken responsibility for it. It’s been addressed, and now we’re looking ahead," he stated.

      In related news, Red Bull’s Dr. Helmut Marko mentioned to Kleine Zeitung that increased tension at McLaren could assist Verstappen’s late title pursuit. "I don’t think we can do it alone," Marko commented. "If the McLaren drivers continue to clash and there are more incidents, it’s not impossible. As long as there’s a mathematical chance, we’ll certainly fight."

      Regarding whether McLaren currently favors Norris over Piastri, Verstappen expressed uncertainty. "I find it hard to determine if a specific driver is being favored or not," he said. "I’m not aware of what’s discussed behind closed doors, but if you leave the door ajar, like in Singapore, such situations arise. McLaren has also contributed to this by attempting to treat both drivers equally."

      According to the reigning four-time world champion, "ensuring equal treatment is challenging." "A championship is never entirely fair," Verstappen noted. "Sometimes you encounter a bad pit stop, or an engine failure occurs. It’s nearly impossible to balance that out – and it can sometimes result in unequal treatment."