Max Verstappen answers which rival F1 team has the best driver’s pair after Red Bull’s

Reigning three-time world champion Max Verstappen has bestowed high praise upon McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, heralding them as the most formidable driver pair among Red Bull's F1 rivals.

This appraisal of the British outfit by the 25-year-old driver comes on the heels of McLaren's remarkable resurgence, marked by a transformative upgrade ahead of the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix.

From struggling to find form at the onset of the season, McLaren has experienced a dramatic shift in fortunes, now contending for podium positions week after week.

One of the more noteworthy achievements for the British outfit this season has been the emergence of the F1 rookie Oscar Piastri. Apart from Ferrari's Carlos Sainz Jr., Piastri stands as the only non-Red Bull driver to clinch a race victory. He accomplished this after a scintillating performance in the sprint race at Qatar.

Max Verstappen's accolades for McLaren come hot on the heels of their impressive showing at the Qatar Grand Prix. Piastri and Lando Norris, meanwhile, secured the team's second consecutive double podium finish, trailing Verstappen by a mere five seconds.

The Dutchman stated (h/t Motorsport.com):

"I do think that as a team they are probably the most consistent, compared to the others behind us."

He further emphasized:

"I do think they have the best driver line-up out of all of them, so they are operating really well."

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Red Bull needs to "maintain a gap" from McLaren, believes Max Verstappen

While Max Verstappen believes there was untapped potential in reserve, he was quick to commend McLaren for their remarkable progress.

"I do think we had a bit more pace in hand if we really needed it but nevertheless, I don't want to take anything away from McLaren," he acknowledged.

The Dutchman lauded McLaren's recent efforts, while also mentioning the need for the Constructors' Champion Red Bull to maintain a gap between the two teams as the season draws to a close. He said:

"They've been doing a great job and from us, we see that they are getting closer and closer, so we have to try and maintain a bit of a gap."

McLaren's recent string of podium finishes has catapulted them into contention for a top 3 finish. The British outfit currently stray 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Martin.

With five races remaining in the season, F1 fans would be awaiting how McLaren navigates the challenges ahead and potentially further disrupt the established order.