Max Verstappen is no stranger to high-stakes competition, but recent advice from Le Mans winner Nick Catsburg has added a new layer of strategy to his 2025 F1 campaign. In a bid to climb the standings, trailing both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri of McLaren, Verstappen has been encouraged to ‘stoke tensions’ within the McLaren camp.
Verstappen recently celebrated a victory at Suzuka, where he fended off strong challenges from Norris and Piastri. However, the momentum shifted in Bahrain, where he grappled with brake issues and pit stop mishaps, ultimately finishing in sixth place. This left Verstappen trailing Norris by eight points in the driver standings.
Nick Catsburg has proposed a bold strategy to the Dutch driver: play mind games to unsettle the McLaren team. According to Catsburg, Verstappen, along with his father Jos, should create friction between Norris and Piastri, suggesting that such tactics are part of a successful racer’s arsenal. Jos Verstappen has also been active on social media, amplifying these tensions by commenting on Norris’ car, specifically referring to a mini DRS wing during the Japanese Grand Prix.
Norris, however, dismissed these claims as unfounded, expressing confidence in his performance and even offering Verstappen the chance to test the McLaren car himself. Despite these barbs, Norris stated, ‘I don’t care, honestly. Everyone can say what they want and believe what they want.’ This resilience perhaps points to why the McLaren duo has presented such a formidable challenge this season.
In contrast to Suzuka, Red Bull struggled in Bahrain, known for its punishing grip levels, which left Verstappen lamenting the circuit’s demands on tire wear. Catsburg noted that the circuit’s conditions exposed differences among the teams, highlighting McLaren’s proficiency in managing tire wear.
While Catsburg’s advice might be seen as aggressive, it reflects the competitive nature at the heart of Formula 1, where psychological tactics are as crucial as technical proficiency. Verstappen’s ability to navigate these mind games might play a significant role in shaking up the championship race.
In a sport where every point matters, Max Verstappen faces the dual challenge of overcoming both the physical demands of racing and the psychological hurdles posed by strong rivals. As the 2025 season unfolds, whether Verstappen’s new strategy will pay off remains to be seen.
