McLaren disqualification gives Verstappen more than hope: now Max is at his best

Verstappen thought he needed a small miracle after the Las Vegas Grand Prix winner saw Lando Norris sitting beside him on the couch in the press conference room. The gap to the McLaren driver was enormous—too big, really—to still hope for another title.

What the Red Bull Racing driver couldn’t foresee was that, elsewhere in the paddock, the FIA stewards were creating that miracle. The plank under Norris' McLaren was excessively worn, which ultimately resulted in disqualification.

Instead of almost being in an impossible position, Verstappen now has a serious shot at his fifth world title after the weekend in 'Sin City', though he will need things to fall his way again. Lando Norris will need to have a complete disaster in one of the next two Grands Prix; only then can Verstappen—who must also keep winning—outscore the Brit.

Verstappen, however, is a master at putting his opponents under such intense pressure that they start making mistakes. That’s one of the Dutchman’s main qualities. And the mental side is precisely where Norris has had issues in the past.

Granted, Norris has made strides in that respect. But what happens if, in a final race, he can fulfill his ultimate dream of becoming Formula 1 world champion? Will he still be that calm and collected when Verstappen—who has been through it all—is breathing down his neck?

When Verstappen smells blood, he’s at his best—perhaps even unbeatable. Is Norris the same? We’ll see.

In any case, the Red Bull driver boards his plane back to Monaco with a fantastic feeling; he knows he has received a massive boost, whereas Lando Norris has taken a heavy blow. It will soon become clear who handles that better—first in Qatar

That’s a circuit tailor-made for Max Verstappen and his Red Bull car. Consider Lando Norris warned.

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