Max Verstappen warned of what Red Bull driver ‘doesn’t need’ ahead of the US Grand Prix

Follow us on Google Discover

Max Verstappen leads the Formula 1 world championship by 52 points over his nearest rival, Lando Norris, with six rounds to go.

The championship leader has done an excellent job in recent races of minimising the damage as Red Bull have struggled.

McLaren have had the best car at some events this year, including last time out at the Singapore Grand Prix when Norris won by 20 seconds over Verstappen.

The Dutchman has visited the podium just three times since his last victory in Spain. But he has been consistent, finishing in the top 6 at every race in that time heading into the United States Grand Prix.

Verstappen’s 52-point advantage over Norris is significant, but it could be diminished if the Red Bull driver starts failing to see the chequered flag.

Peter Windsor, while speaking on his YouTube channel, has also now warned Verstappen that consistency is key in the championship battle with only six rounds left.

Peter Windsor warns Max Verstappen that he ‘doesn’t need’ a non-finish at the US Grand Prix

Verstappen is in control of his title with Norris battle as although McLaren have been formidable, the Red Bull driver’s lead remains more than 50 points.

But the Dutchman can’t afford any races where he doesn’t score points, as Norris and McLaren are the more likely combination to score race wins.

The Red Bull driver has been reliable this year, only failing to finish once in Australia when his car suffered a brake problem.

The title rivals also collided in the Austrian Grand Prix, and Norris may have underestimated Verstappen’s aggression in wheel-to-wheel combat.

READ MORE: The changes Red Bull are bringing to the US Grand Prix as part of ‘magical’ RB20 upgrade

So, Windsor explained that Verstappen needs to keep out of trouble – although Turn 1 at the Circuit of the Americas could provide drama between the championship contenders.

He said: “Turn 1 [will be] key for the Max-Norris battle. Well, it will be. It’s pretty wide there, isn’t it? It’s not as if it’s a tiny little funnel of love. It’s wide.

“There’ll be some fisticuffs there, for sure. Max doesn’t need a DNF, does he? He doesn’t need to be nerfed off at the first corner because that will start to put a lot of pressure on them.

“I can’t imagine Red Bull are going to win Mexico given the way they are. So, the pressure could build up then. But it would be more pressure if they hadn’t taken all these points away from Lando.”

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have both performed well at Circuit of the Americas

Norris is yet to win in Texas but he has taken points finishes in all four of his visits to the Lone Star State, mostly in cars that couldn’t fight at the sharp end of the field.

The British driver finished in second place last year as McLaren built momentum in the final part of the season.

Verstappen has been incredibly successful in Texas, winning the last three events – including in 2021 after battling Lewis Hamilton, a vital step on the road to his first world championship.

It may be slightly more difficult for the three-time world champion to win again at COTA, but he still has the championship in his grasp.