Max Verstappen will try to restart his title defense and halt an eight-race winless slide this weekend when he faces title rival Lando Norris in the United States Grand Prix. Four weeks after finishing second to him in Singapore, Red Bull’s three-time world champion and series leader feels recent changes to his car will be enough to reel in the McLaren driver and repeat his 2023 victory at the Circuit of the Americas.

“The car felt better in Singapore,” Verstappen explained. “It was already a positive step for us in Baku, and I believe we are moving in the right route today, but it takes time. You cannot fix something like this in one or two weeks.”

The Dutchman admitted that Red Bull struggled to match the speed of their main competitors, McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull, for much of the middle of the 24-race season, but with six races remaining, three of which are sprints, he hopes his 52-point lead will be enough to hold on.

Verstappen has not won since the Spanish Grand Prix, and despite some inconsistency, Norris has defeated him in the last five races, sparking a late assault for the drivers’ title to complement McLaren’s takeover of the constructors’ championship. This weekend’s sprint offers an extra eight points as the F1 circus begins a triple-header with races in Austin, Mexico, and Brazil on consecutive weekends before the final events in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.

In total, 180 points remain to be won, and the numerous scenarios all point to Norris staying on top and hoping Verstappen has a few low- or non-scoring races. “It’s going to be incredibly busy, but also exciting, in the next two months,” Norris told me. “I’m ready to get back in the car, so let’s show Texas what we can do.”

‘More Competitive’

Verstappen has won all three races this season and will be hoping to keep up his form as the season comes to a close. His previous accomplishment was a sprint win in Austria, and he expressed hope that further improvements for Austin will “suit this circuit and see if we are more competitive when we head out on track.”

Both leading teams will rely on their second drivers, Sergio Perez of Red Bull and Oscar Piastri of McLaren, for important support as they compete for titles.

McLaren leads Red Bull by 41 points in the teams’ title race, with Perez in desperate need of a change in form and fortunes before his home race in Mexico. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes’ seven-time champion and the most successful driver at the US Grand Prix with six victories, might also play a role at one of his favorite courses.

Daniel Ricciardo will be replaced by Liam Lawson from New Zealand in the RB team, giving him a chance to succeed Perez next year, while Alex Albon will make his 100th race start for Williams.