P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has caught many by surprise with his sudden charge in the title fight, including Oscar Piastri.
Australian driver Oscar Piastri admitted that Max Verstappen’s recent surge in the title race took him by surprise, as he initially saw the championship battle as a duel between himself and Lando Norris.
Following Red Bull’s introduction of a new floor for the RB21 at the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen has been dominant, not finishing behind any McLaren driver and winning three of the last four races.
As the Formula 1 circus heads to Mexico City for the next race, Verstappen enters with strong momentum, although he had doubted his title chances after the Zandvoort race.
Piastri shared his astonishment at Verstappen’s impressive form, echoing the sentiment that many had underestimated the Dutch driver’s rapid rise in the championship fight.
While recognizing Red Bull’s continuous car improvements, Piastri highlighted how Verstappen’s consistency and performance have exceeded expectations, surprising both him and other competitors on the grid.
