Red Bull, on the other hand, could only manage third, their worst result in the teams' standings since 2019, leaving them undoubtedly disappointed having dominated both championships for the past two years prior to 2024.
Disagreements off-track consisted of complaints between the two teams throughout the championship battle over flexi front wings and front bib adjusters.
Following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, an alleged so-called 'mini DRS' trick by the McLaren team involving their rear wing on the straights in Baku led to an FIA investigation, which found that the team had not broken any rules, but they were ordered to not use the rear wing design again in the season.
Now however, Red Bull star Verstappen has reignited the issue when discussing the 2024 season, hinting that the team's rivals may have been bending the rules somewhat throughout the year.
"There were things that happened in the background, which meant that we had no chance at all in certain races. I know that for sure, but no one will ever admit that," Verstappen told De Telegraaf.