Verstappen dominated last weekend's proceedings at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, after a first corner mistake by championship leader Lando Norris gave the Dutchman the lead of the race.

Asked about the championship battle by a Sky Sports' reporter, the defending world champion was presented with the question: "20 seconds though, you won by today. We are going back to the Red Bull of the past that was dominating. In this car, do you not think it's got enough in these final two tracks, because you've been good at a lot of different tracks now?"

Verstappen answered with a smile: "Yeah, it's all about the car!" The reporter added, "I've said you've been good, I didn't say the car was good, I've said you've been good," to which Verstappen responded with a simple, "yeah."

Verstappen now sits just 24-points behind championship leader Lando Norris, and level on points with Oscar Piastri as the championship reaches the penultimate round of the season.

Given Verstappen's recent form, going from the pit lane to a podium finish in Brazil and having closed down on both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the championship over the last few months, could Red Bull and Verstappen have been the reason that McLaren were disqualified from the Las Vegas Grand Prix?

McLaren had underwhelming performances at both the 2023 and 2024 Las Vegas Grands Prix, and may have been looking to outperform Verstappen and Red Bull, by pushing the car to its' limit. However, given the disqualification of both cars, they evidently pushed the MCL38 beyond what the regulations allow.

Verstappen and Piastri now sit level in the championship on 366 points, just 24-points adrift of Norris, who sits on 390 points, with two Grands Prix and one Sprint race remaining.

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