Link: https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/verstappen-boosted-by-f1-title-charge-but-knows-he-and-red-bull-need-to-be.7HM0f2EAdh8QpJkeVtm01A

Max Verstappen knows full well that he and Red Bull will “need to be perfect” from this weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix to the season finale in Abu Dhabi if he is to beat McLaren rivals Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris to the title.

Verstappen was 104 points adrift of championship leader Piastri just five rounds ago, but he has cut that gap to 40 with three victories and a second-place finish across the last four races.

Arriving in Mexico City for this weekend’s action at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, the Dutchman reflected on his and Red Bull’s recent form and the challenge that lies ahead.

“It’s clear that we had a good run,” said Verstappen. “I’ve definitely been enjoying it a lot more like that, and of course, we will try to carry that momentum forward.

“At the same time, we know that we need to be perfect until the end to have a chance, but that’s fine. We just try to enjoy it, try to do the best we can, and maximise it. At the end, we will see where we end up.”

Asked if he is now the favourite to win what would be a fifth world title, Verstappen continued: “I don’t know. It’s still a big gap to the lead.

“We’re not too stressed about it. We’re just trying to enjoy it, trying to get the most out of it until the end. If it works, amazing. If it doesn’t, we can still be very proud of the upswing in performance that we showed.