Daniel Ricciardo Praises Max Verstappen's 'Ridiculous' Performance in F1 Title Chase

Daniel Ricciardo believes "ridiculous" Max Verstappen is "keeping this championship even more exciting" as he rapidly closes in on the McLaren drivers. Verstappen's dominant performance at the United States GP weekend, securing a maximum 33 points, significantly reduced Oscar Piastri's lead to just 40 points with five races remaining, bringing an unexpected surge of excitement to the title fight.

Why it matters:

Max Verstappen's relentless pursuit of a fifth consecutive Drivers' Championship is adding significant intrigue to what was shaping up to be a McLaren-dominated season. His ability to consistently deliver maximum points is not only showcasing his exceptional talent but also intensifying the battle at the top, forcing McLaren to respond under pressure.

The details:

• Following the United States GP, Verstappen gained 23 points on Oscar Piastri, reducing the gap from 63 to 40 points in the championship standings.
• Piastri, who is aiming for his maiden F1 title, has shown a slight wobble in recent races, while his teammate Lando Norris is now only 12 points behind him.
• Verstappen has secured three wins in the last five races, accumulating 64 points on Piastri since the summer break.
• If Verstappen continues this momentum and secures the title, he would be only the second driver, after Michael Schumacher, to win five consecutive Drivers' Championships.
• Daniel Ricciardo, attending the Austin event for his clothing brand, shared his admiration during a WhatsApp watch-along, jokingly noting Verstappen's composure: "Meanwhile, Max is contacting the restaurant about his steak cooked medium rare for later tonight."
• Ricciardo added, "Haha, yeah, Max is ridiculous. Kid

is so good. Yes, I'm stating the obvious, I know. I mean, Max is really keeping this championship even more exciting than it already was with Oscar and Lando."

• Ricciardo also commended Yuki Tsunoda's strong performance, who secured twin P7 finishes in the two races, observing that for "two days in a row, he's coming through nicely."

The big picture:

Verstappen's late-season charge is a testament to his unwavering focus and the consistent performance of his Red Bull package. While McLaren has been a revelation this season, the pressure is now firmly on Piastri to fend off a driver who knows how to close out championships. This dynamic shift ensures that the final races will be must-watch events, with the narrative of a seasoned champion hunting down a rising star.

What's next:

The championship battle now shifts to the remaining five races, where every point will be crucial. McLaren will need to find renewed consistency, and Piastri will have to dig deep to counter Verstappen's momentum. The upcoming races will test both driver skill and team strategy, promising a thrilling conclusion to the F1 season.