AUSTIN: Max Verstappen is chasing perfection as he aims for a fifth successive Formula One world title — a dream that once seemed to be fading but is now flickering back to life.
Despite trailing McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 63 points with six rounds remaining, the Red Bull star remains mathematically in the hunt and mentally unfazed. Verstappen has outperformed both McLaren drivers in the last three races and continues to believe that consistency could yet turn the tide.
“One retirement (for McLaren) and you’re fully back into it,” Verstappen told Reuters ahead of securing pole position for the sprint race in Austin. “There’s always a chance, right? But everything needs to go perfect.”
McLaren boss Zak Brown echoed that sentiment, warning that the Dutchman’s threat is far from over. “Max is very much in the game. It would be a big mistake to think he’s not part of this championship,” Brown said.
With teammates Piastri and Lando Norris fighting among themselves, Verstappen’s position as Red Bull’s undisputed number one could yet play in his favor. Still, the three-time world champion insists he’s taking nothing for granted. “We just need to maximise everything we can,” he said. “Then you walk up to Abu Dhabi and see where you are.”(Reuters)
