🔗 Share this article

For the first time throughout the championship, the champion revealed following the Austin race that securing the crown could actually happen

This marked a significant moment, because until now the driver had downplayed this possibility

That made sense through McLaren's dominant period since the season started through the summer months

Stunning Turnaround

The data from recent grands prix are quite remarkable

After the Dutch Grand Prix, he found himself 104 points back from the Australian in the championship, and trailing the British driver

Now, he is 40 points behind his rival, who maintains an advantage over his team-mate now stands at only 14 points

Competitor's Outlook

There are circuits ahead that favor to McLaren's strengths - Brazil, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the team have singled out

But Verstappen's recent form makes everything uncertain

During qualifying, McLaren team principal was saying that the Verstappen-Red Bull combination could dominate at every remaining track

Driver Confidence

As the Dutchman advances on the competing drivers, so Norris has been closing the gap to his teammate - previously 34 points behind after Zandvoort

Piastri finished behind Norris during the Monza race, experienced difficulties in Baku, and was compromised in Marina Bay

Squad Approach

The entire McLaren organization are venturing into new territory

The racers with their team lack experience in battling for a drivers' title before, even though the British driver pressured Verstappen last year

Now he must ensure the organization and racers balanced and focused, to work through the stress while prioritizing current objectives

We continue discussing the challenge before us - featuring intense rivalry for race wins, a close fight towards the championship crown - defines Formula 1 racing

If anything, it was anomalous when we secured simple front positions, like in Barcelona, in Bahrain, and some other places

We're learning to handle this kind of pressure, which we want to live with full commitment with reduced anxiety

• Five grands prix to go the title fight
• Two of them feature sprint events
• The title battle remains intensely close

Finally, should we discover our form again, recover our performance, particularly for myself rediscover our speed, then I remain confident

Future endeavors remain simple

We keep doing our strong efforts and outcomes will take care of themselves