P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen is very much in a title fight with both McLaren drivers; however, he knows Red Bull must not depend on his rivals making errors.
Max Verstappen emphasized the importance of Red Bull taking charge and outperforming McLaren in order to win either title this season, rather than relying on mistakes from Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris. Despite being the only non-McLaren driver to win a race this year, Verstappen trails Piastri by 22 points ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. He acknowledged the necessity for improvements within Red Bull, particularly in managing overheating tires where McLaren excels. Verstappen was initially expected to battle Norris for the championship, but the competition has shifted to a more intense showdown with Norris as his teammate. Despite recognizing the talent and pace of both Norris and Piastri, Verstappen remains focused on maximizing his own results and driving performance to secure victories without depending on rivals’ errors.
