Max Verstappen is chasing perfection as he pursues a fifth Formula 1 championship. After his dominant weekend at the United States Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver says anything is possible. “The chance is there.

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.

McLaren have already clinched the constructors' title for a second successive year and have Australian Oscar Piastri leading the drivers' standings by 14 points from British teammate Lando Norris. The Woking team last won the drivers' crown with Lewis Hamilton in 2008 and have not completed a championship double since 1998.

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

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen cruised to an easy victory in a crash-filled United States Grand Prix sprint race and then took pole position for the main event on a rough day for Formula 1 championship leader Oscar Piastri.

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.