Brundle: Verstappen living ‘rent free’ in rivals’ heads, à la Senna

As the Formula 1 season heads into its final six race weekends, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is proving once again why he’s a driver who can’t be underestimated.

Despite a gap of 63 points to the championship leaders, Verstappen continues to finish ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, keeping the pressure firmly on his papaya rivals.

While McLaren has shifted focus toward F1’s 2026 rule changes, Verstappen and Red Bull have been quietly chipping away at their deficit, bringing incremental upgrades to each race.

It’s an uphill battle, but Sky F1’s Martin Brundle believes the Dutch ace may be drawing inspiration from past legends to make life miserable for his rivals.

Channeling Senna and Schumacher

Speaking on the grid ahead of last weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix, Brundle painted a vivid picture of Verstappen’s psychological edge over his competitors.

“I think Max, because he’s so aggressive, especially when he finds some grip that others don’t believe is there in the first few corners of the opening lap, I think he sort of lives in their heads rent-free.

“A little bit, because they don’t know what he’s going to do next. And that is entirely intentional. It’s exactly what Ayrton Senna used to do, and people like that. Michael Schumacher was another one.

Whether it was Formula 3 or Formula 1, Ayrton would steam up the inside of you and leave you to decide whether you wanted to crash on that day in history or not.”

Brundle’s comparison underlines the mental warfare Verstappen brings to the grid: it’s not just about speed or strategy – it’s also about planting doubt and hesitation in the minds of his opponents.

McLaren Dynamics Shift

In his post-race column for Sky Sports, Brundle addressed last Sunday’s flashpoint between McLaren teammates Norris and Piastri, when the formers made a controversial move that Brundle suggests may redefine the internal dynamics at Woking.

“Piastri appealed to the team to sort that out given the 'no contact' rules between them, which they declined,” wrote the former Grand Prix driver.

“It would have been a feisty post-race team debrief, and I have no doubt whatsoever that the dynamics between the two McLaren drivers will irrevocably change going forward. It was just a matter of time.

“Perhaps McLaren should now just let their two drivers duke it out, gloves off, between themselves with zero interference.

“Any nuclear fallout will be tempered by the need to finish races, score points, avoid FIA in-race penalties, avoid Verstappen catching the pair of them, and running out of the latest specification of parts as the team focuses on 2026.”

Read also:

• Norris unapologetic: 'If you fault me, you shouldn’t be in Formula 1’

With Verstappen relentlessly chasing the McLaren duo and seemingly thriving in the psychological game, the final stretch of the season promises fireworks.

Odds are against the flying Dutchman in overcoming his points deficit, but one thing is clear: Verstappen’s presence on the track isn’t just felt in the standings – his shadow is in his rivals’ minds.

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