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max verstappen Are enjoying the “positive pressure” of defeating their title rivals and have refuted claims that they had lost interest midway through the season.
The four-time world champion is back in the title race having won three of the last four races to make up for his deficit in the leadership. oscar piastri since issue 104 zandvoort Up to 40 points with five rounds remaining in August.
His excellent weekend at the United States Grand Prix, where he won both the sprint and the race from pole, ignited his enthusiasm for a fifth consecutive championship – hopes he had lost before the summer break.
lando norris The pair are 14 points behind Piastri and 26 points ahead of Verstappen in the standings.
With 141 points still to go, a real three-way title race has loomed and Verstappen is focused on giving his all to take the crown.
“Worst case, I’m still P3, right?” he said ahead of this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix.
“I just want to try to win races until the end of the season. We have performed well and we also know as a team that it has to be right to have a chance.
“So, if it works, fantastic, incredible comeback.
“Of course, I have won championships too late, too early. Now, of course, it is very different because I think for most of the season it was very difficult for us.
“To still be able to be in this fight is very surprising but I accept it.
“For me, it’s just positive pressure. I love what I’m doing. If the car is competitive, racing in it is much better than when it’s not.”
Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko told Sky Sports after last weekend’s race Austin He believes Verstappen “lost interest” at the beginning of the season when the car was not competitive.
It’s not an assessment that Verstappen agrees with and he insists he gives his all every time he gets in the car.
Asked if he agreed with the Austrian’s comments, Verstappen said: “No, I don’t.
“Of course, it’s more enjoyable to come to weekend races like this, knowing you have a chance to win.
“But I know myself that when I get in the car, I always try to make the most of everything I have and put everything into it.
“So, whether I’m fighting for P4 or P9, I will always try to get the best out of it.”