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Not long ago Max Verstappen’s world championship defence looked doomed. However, after he crossed the finish line in the recent United States Grand Prix, it marked the most remarkable resurgence as he waded with a gleeful swagger once again into the fight for the crown. He had been struggling but he remains in contention and may yet secure what would count as his biggest win.

Verstappen’s New Approach

Entering the race weekend in the Circuit of the Americas, Verstappen was still treating the idea of him being a contender versus the McLaren duo with a certain indifferent levity. “It’s a coin toss. You either win it, or you don’t. I don’t focus on it,” he commented. At that time, he remained down by 55 points to Piastri. After his comprehensive, dominant win at the Circuit of the Americas, the deficit shrank to 40 and Verstappen acknowledged he remained a real threat.

Remarkable Recovery

Trailing by 104 points after the Dutch GP, over four races, three of which he has won, he has cut the lead by 64 points. Based on those events, his car has become the fastest in the field or at very least on a par with the once-leading McLaren.

He has won on every type of track, especially last weekend on a traditional circuit, featuring significant tire degradation, on which McLaren was strongest since the start. Given this performance the final five—Mexican, Brazilian, Vegas, Qatari, and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix—won’t intimidate Verstappen.

Car Improvements

His assurance stems partly from the impressive job the engineers have achieved in improving the vehicle, that Verstappen considered extremely challenging from unpredictable handling during most races, back to winning ways. The new floor and wing used in recent events representing a risk by the team by continuing development while McLaren redirected efforts to future projects, proved inspired. His performance peaks when the car suits him he is comfortable with and the RB21 is now nearly ideal.

Remaining Challenges

Five meetings remain, with two sprint events and in this shape the driver believes he can potentially to triumph in each. Calculations show it could be insufficient. A one-two over Piastri across the final events with sprint races would still leave him three points short but it must be noted Piastri’s best was third after Zandvoort. However there are more factors at play beyond statistics.

The Team’s Challenge

Most importantly there is how McLaren deal with this looming threat. Their approach to treat both drivers equally and let them race all season was commendable and logical during their dominant phase. That has now gone along with the points cushion. In the process Piastri and Norris have taken points off one another and the team has stepped in to try to ensure a scrupulous equity between them. A privilege they may not keep with Verstappen steaming up in their wake.

The boss said the team and his drivers must remain composed following the US GP and expressed that following their strategy and methods, success would follow. Yet he recognized they might prioritize a driver when the situation demanded it.

Historical Parallels

Interestingly McLaren faces the heat. Verstappen in contrast faces no pressure. There is no disgrace to fall short after his season thus far and as the primary racer with extensive experience of closing out under pressure in competitive seasons.

The points advantage lies with the two drivers—with a narrow 14-point gap—but those can be turned until the last race as they remember. During the 2007 season their drivers Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso fought closely race after race, while being stalked by Kimi Raikkonen in the Ferrari, with the engineer now in charge.

Raikkonen started the finale of the season in Brazil holding 100 points in third, with Hamilton on 107 the Spaniard with 103. In a gripping finale the British driver faced car trouble, Raikkonen won, his third victory from the final four races with this comeback won the crown narrowly. It was only the second time someone rose from third in the championship at the season finale to claim the crown since Giuseppe Farina had done so in the very first season.

Looking Ahead

Next weekend the fight will resume at the Mexican Grand Prix, which hosted a similarly thrilling three-way title decider back in 1964 involving Surtees, Hill, and Clark all competed for the title. Similar to Verstappen Surtees had also endured a slow start to the season but made history when he ultimately emerged on top. It’s reasonable to think Verstappen will similarly be in the mix in Mexico and for his fifth title by Abu Dhabi in December.