P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen compared to Elvis Presley ahead titanic F1 showdown
David Coulthard likened Max Verstappen’s resurgence in the 2025 Formula 1 championship to Elvis Presley’s 1968 return.
Following the Dutch GP, Verstappen trailed championship leader Oscar Piastri by 104 points, but he has since garnered five wins in eight races, a second, two thirds, and a Sprint win in the US.
This surge in form has seen Piastri slip behind Verstappen, with Lando Norris now leading the standings with 408 points, Verstappen at 396, and Piastri at 392.
Verstappen needs a podium finish in Abu Dhabi to clinch the title, while a win necessitates Norris to finish at least third.
Coulthard commended Verstappen’s assertiveness and compared his comeback to Elvis’ iconic 1968 TV special, citing a shift in perception among those who doubted him.
