Ted Kravitz noticed ‘completely new’ Max Verstappen change after US Grand Prix interview

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Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen relieved some of the building pressure he had been experiencing in the Drivers’ Championship with a perfect Sprint Race victory at the United States Grand Prix.

Although Max Verstappen already had a 52-point lead over Lando Norris heading into the United States Grand Prix, the momentum was very much with the McLaren driver.

However, Verstappen was on pole position for the Sprint Race and while his closest rivals were squabbling behind him, he delivered a relatively straightforward victory.

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It extends his perfect record in this season’s Sprint Races and added an extra two points to his lead over Norris.

Qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix didn’t quite go to plan for the Red Bull star as his final run was scuppered by George Russell’s heavy crash.

It meant Norris was able to secure pole position, but Verstappen will start alongside him for one of the trickiest runs heading into turn one on the calendar.

Ted Kravitz was speaking on Ted’s Notebook about the 27-year-old and shared a change he immediately noticed in Verstappen once he started talking to him.

Verstappen was embroiled in controversy at the previous race in Singapore.

He swore during his pre-race press conference and incurred the wrath of the FIA as a result.

Verstappen had the support of his fellow drivers in that instance, but it looks like the triple-world champion has put those issues behind him.

Ted Kravitz shares the positive change he noticed in Max Verstappen during the United States Grand Prix

Talking about the Dutchman, Kravitz said: “Max said the car had the potential to be first which is very good and really a sign of how Max Verstappen has had some kind of mental reset, or he’s reset himself since the disappointments of Singapore and all of the controversies that he got into there despite finishing second.

“He clearly had a word with himself or someone’s had a word with him and said Max, use this three-week gap, four-week gap between Singapore and here, completely new headspace.

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“I noticed it the second I started talking to him on Thursday.

“I said, ‘Max, would you not be worried by the car’s recent performances if it comes here and the upgrade works?’

“And he said, ‘Hey, I’m not worried about anything, I’m having fun here, driving a great car, I’m going to win the world championship.’

“Max was never worried really and yeah, it’s reflected in his driving, so yeah, some major changes, and they think they can win the race again tomorrow from Lando Norris but it’ll be a good fight.”

Lando Norris worried he ‘can’t match’ Max Verstappen during United States Grand Prix

Much has been made of Norris’s race starts this season, but he appears to have put those difficulties behind him.

At the Singapore Grand Prix, Norris had no trouble holding Verstappen off and during Saturday’s Sprint Race, he made up two places in the opening corners thanks to his strong launch.

Verstappen may feel he’s got a slight advantage starting on the inside of Norris heading up the steep hill to the left-hand hairpin at the beginning of the race and the Brit will have to work hard to cover him off.

Norris has admitted that Verstappen has one advantage over him in Austin and that could prove crucial to the result of the race.

However, both drivers will also be well aware that the threat of Ferrari can’t be ignored and in particular Carlos Sainz who has looked electric all weekend.