Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has projected that Max Verstappen now holds the “psychological advantage” in the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship race.
The Dutchman sailed to another victory at the United States Grand Prix, his third victory in four races, and putting him ever closer to the McLaren duo.
With five races to go this season, Verstappen has a realistic but still outside chance of retaining the title as he now lies 40 points behind Oscar Piastri.
Wolff believes that, given he is still the underdog, Verstappen holds the cards from a mental perspective, as he is now the hunter, rather than the hunted.
“I’ve been in a similar situation with two drivers fighting for a championship, and the threat of another one catching back in the day was Max, I believe, and then it was Sebastian [Vettel] in that hunt,” Wolff told media including Motorsport Week.
“So the underdog has always a little bit of an easier psychological advantage because of the probability.
“The odds are definitely against Max. If you look at the probability that’s very low, one DNS can change everything, and I think that affects the driving also.
“How aggressive can you actually go for an overtake?
“You can see with Lando [Norris] today, he’s done it at the end but it was tricky at times to decide whether you keep your nose, put your nose in, or not.”
Verstappen ‘as good as he gets as a driver’
Whilst Red Bull has been able to create a newfound competitiveness from its RB21 package – something with which it has struggled all season – Verstappen has been given the tools to go out and close the gap to Norris and Piastri.
However, it is still widely accepted that the McLaren MCL39 is still, overall, the best car on the grid, but Verstappen’s considerable nous and talent have been enough to steer his car to wins.
Wolff praised Verstappen’s abilities as a driver, and intimated that he is currently the absolute class of the field.
“I think Max is great, but I wouldn’t be able to say whether any other driver [could],” he added.
“They’ve just turned the car out, and that guy is the most competitive at the moment, and he’s scoring the big points.
“He’s as good as he gets as a driver.”
READ MORE – Red Bull believes McLaren feeling Max Verstappen heat in F1 title chase
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