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.

Fernando Alonso is eager to be rid of the AMR25, a car which has struggled to score any meaningful results this season. Adrian Newey has also been designing the AMR26, which has drawn a lot of attention, as Newey has designed 12 Constructors' championship winning cars.

"They are two celebratory Grands Prix, or I take it that way," he told DAZN after the race. "Qatar with the sprint, which we don't have much time and we can't sleep because we only have one free practice session and we're already going to qualifying, and then Abu Dhabi, which is usually a farewell for everyone and a bit of rest.

"I take it as two celebratory races, also because we won't be driving this car anymore, so it has to be a celebration for that reason."

Meanwhile, Aston Martin is said to have parted ways with CEO and team principal Andy Cowell. Former Red Bull team boss Christian Horner is one of the names rumoured for the role.

Could the defending world champion's recent form have pushed the Woking-based team to set up their cars so aggressively for the Las Vegas Grand Prix?

Read our analysis of McLaren's double disqualification here!

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