Red Bull Principal: 'We Are Watching History in the Making' with Verstappen's Comeback

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies believes that Max Verstappen's stunning comeback in the F1 title race is a historic spectacle. After his third victory in four races at the United States Grand Prix, Verstappen has narrowed the gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri to just 40 points, with Lando Norris only 14 points ahead of him. This remarkable surge has transformed Verstappen from a long shot to a serious contender.

Why it matters:

Verstappen's incredible recovery from a 104-point deficit after the Dutch Grand Prix highlights his exceptional skill and the relentless pursuit of performance by Red Bull. This narrative of an underdog chasing down the leaders adds significant drama and excitement to the championship, potentially reshaping the outcome of what initially seemed like a straightforward season for McLaren.

The Details:

• Verstappen secured his 68th career win at COTA, completing a perfect weekend with pole and victory in both the sprint and grand prix. This marks the third time he has achieved this unique feat.
• His recent form includes a string of results (second, first, first, second, first) since Zandvoort, where he trailed Piastri by a substantial margin.
• Mekies praised Verstappen's ability to constantly surprise the team with his on-track performance and his acute sensitivity to car dynamics, both visible and imperceptible.
• Team Focus: Despite the impressive comeback, Mekies emphasized that the Red Bull engineering group remains focused on immediate performance gains for upcoming sessions rather than championship calculations.

What's next:

The team is now looking ahead to the Mexican Grand Prix, where they will assess what limited them in the U.S. and if McLaren's pace was genuinely superior, or if Mexico will present a new challenge. The focus remains on continuous improvement and maintaining the intensity that has fueled their recent success.

• Verstappen himself admitted he would have thought someone was an "idiot" if they had predicted his current title contention after Zandvoort, underscoring the unexpected nature of his resurgence.
• The Red Bull team aims to sustain this high level of performance, crediting the unseen efforts of those back at the factory.