P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen has fallen to 49 points behind championship leader Lando Norris in the drivers’ standings.
Max Verstappen stated that his F1 title bid was not undermined by his failure to win in Mexico and Brazil, despite closing the gap to the McLaren drivers post-summer break. He found himself 49 points behind the championship leader due to Lando Norris’s consecutive victories in those races. Verstappen’s strong performance in Brazil, finishing third after starting from the pit lane, displayed his determination in the title battle. He expressed uncertainty about whether the changes made to the car after qualifying would be beneficial in the final races, emphasizing the need for focus and adaptation. Verstappen attributed his title challenge setbacks to Red Bull’s slow start in the season rather than his results in the last two races, acknowledging that the team’s inconsistency led to their championship deficit throughout the year.
