And while Verstappen deserves credit, Red Bull has made important steps on and off track to unlock it. A new floor the team brought to Monza helped trigger the massive change in its pace relative to the McLarens, but there has been a notable change to Verstappen in the time since the summer break, too.

It’s tough not to overstate just how unfathomable the current positioning at the top of the F1 drivers’ championship was just two months ago. Rewind four races and Max Verstappen trailed Oscar Piastri by 104 points.

Max Verstappen dominates the United States Grand Prix to increase the pressure on McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the championship.

Max Verstappen is just 40 points behind Oscar Piastri and even closer to Lando Norris and McLaren must consider how best to see off the threat of their Red Bull rival

McLaren boss Andrea Stella has refused to rule out picking a number one driver to see off the threat of Max Verstappen. The Dutchman is now just 40 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri after scoring maximum points across the Sprint weekend in Austin.

Max Verstappen's perfect run so far at F1's 2025 U.S. GP is piling yet more pressure on the McLaren drivers in the world championship stakes

The chance is there,” admitted Max Verstappen. The Dutchman is just 40 points off World Championship leader Oscar Piastri with five races to go following a dominant performance in the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

Max Verstappen's recent victory at the United States Grand Prix has intensified the championship competition for McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.