“It’s quite clear that it's moving at speed": Max Verstappen gives his verdict on McLaren's 'mini-DRS' 

Max Verstappen has weighed in on the McLaren 'mini-DRS' solution and said that it all comes down to the FIA on how it interprets it. After the race in Baku, videos surfaced showing both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris' rear wing slightly open as soon as the cars were on the straights.

This led to a phenomenon where the DRS slit got partially opened, and it led to a minimum DRS phenomenon that would result in an improved straight-line speed for the McLaren.

This was also cited as one of the reasons why Charles Leclerc was somehow unable to catch and overtake Oscar Piastri despite multiple attempts.

Talking to the media, Max Verstappen was questioned about the mini DRS on the McLaren, and he said that the proof is already out there, and now it's on the FIA to take the call in whichever direction it wants. He told media, including Racingnews365,

“Of course, I've seen the footage. That's the beautiful side of social media, everyone has the video ready and then a lot of discussion is made. It’s quite clear that it's moving at speed. It might be smart, it might not be smart.”

He added,

“At the end of the day, it's up to the FIA to decide if it's illegal or not. Baku is not the first time that it was used, so there were other tracks as well. I guess it's important to come with a clarification. But that's not only on the rear wing. It's the front wing as well. What is allowed? How much is it allowed to bend? All these kind of things. So we just have to wait and see.”

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Max Verstappen's contemporary Charles Leclerc calls the mini DRS controversial

F1 Grand Prix of Azerbaijan - Qualifying - Source: Getty

Max Verstappen's contemporary Charles Leclerc was more upfront with his views on the phenomenon. The driver didn't divulge too much and said that he would let Fred Vasseur, the Ferrari boss, handle it, although in his view this was controversial, to say the least. He said,

"It's definitely a dialogue that we've already had," Leclerc said. "I think Fred will go on that matter a bit more into detail, but of what I've been told, it's controversial, to say the least. So, yeah, I'll leave that here, and I'll let Fred comment a bit further."

Both Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen drive for teams that are McLaren's primary rivals in the championship at this stage. It would be interesting to see if the FIA does end up taking some action against the mini DRS or let it continue.

The mini DRS did seemingly play a role in helping Oscar Piastri defend his place from Charles Leclerc in Baku, whether the saga is in action in Singapore as well is going to be very interesting.