P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen already has one DNF to his record in 2024, but according to a Red Bull engineer, he narrowly escaped another.
A Red Bull F1 engineer disclosed a close call Max Verstappen had with a potential second DNF this season due to a clutch sensor issue. Verstappen currently leads Lando Norris by 52 points heading into the United States GP sprint, with Verstappen starting on pole. Teammate Norris starts in fourth. In a championship battle, lost points could greatly impact the final outcome, as seen with previous setbacks for both drivers. The sensor problem with Verstappen’s clutch was quickly identified and fixed by the team during an undisclosed race earlier in the year, preventing a potential retirement for the Dutch driver. The incident underscores the continuous need for rigorous monitoring in a sport where reliability is paramount.
