Max Verstappen put on a masterclass at the United States Grand Prix and left McLaren with plenty to think about. The Red Bull driver dominated both the sprint and the main race in Austin and cut his deficit in the Drivers’ Championship. He placed the pressure squarely back on McLaren’s title contenders, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Did Max Verstappen’s Rise Put McLaren on the Back Foot?
After the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen trailed Piastri by 104 points. However, in the last four races, he has reduced that deficit to just 40 points with five rounds still left in the season. Verstappen’s wins in Austin, along with a commanding pole position, highlighted both his own skill and the improvements Red Bull has made to their car.
With momentum on his side, Verstappen has revived his title challenge and has proven that he is a serious contender for a fifth world championship.
McLaren had looked comfortably in control earlier this season and is now feeling the heat. In Austin, Piastri and Norris found themselves battling Ferrari rather than Verstappen, which showed how quickly the dynamics have shifted.
For Piastri, the challenge is urgent as he’s struggled to match his early-season form. His championship lead has shrunk steadily, while Norris continues to push hard. Still, the growing threat from Verstappen adds pressure on both McLaren drivers.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes Verstappen holds a mental advantage over the papaya duo, saying, “The underdog has always a little bit of an easier psychological advantage because of the probability. The odds are definitely against Max. If you look at the probability, that’s very low, one DNS can change everything, and I think that affects the driving also.”
McLaren Must Respond Quickly
With only five races remaining, including Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, McLaren cannot afford to make mistakes since Red Bull’s upgrades, especially the improved floor and front wing, have turned Verstappen’s car into a consistently fast and reliable machine. He now has the pace to challenge on every track, including circuits where McLaren had the upper hand earlier this season.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella emphasized the need to stay focused and calm but acknowledged that their strategy may need to favor one driver at times. The team’s championship hopes now depend solely on strong performances from both Piastri and Norris while minimizing internal rivalry.
On the other hand, Verstappen races without any pressure as he has nothing to lose and is taking full advantage of every opportunity to claw back points, and McLaren must respond fast or risk losing their driver’s title to the Dutchman.