Damon Hill feels this year's dramatic F1 title race has now become "tight and sweaty" following Max Verstappen's dramatic surge.
From a deficit of 104 points to McLaren's Oscar Piastri after finishing runner-up to the Australian in his home Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen has reduced the gap to 40 points after winning four of the last five races, taking the United States sprint into consideration.
It is an astonishing about-turn in form and performance, primarily sparked by the introduction of a new floor on the RB21 ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, followed by a new front wing for the following race in Azerbaijan.
The perfect weekend in Austin, where Verstappen scored sprint pole and win, followed by grand prix pole and victory, has turned what many felt was an intra-team two-horse race into a three-way battle for the drivers' championship.
"Isn't it amazing?" said 1996 champion Damon Hill, speaking to RacingNews365 after the race at the Circuit of the Americas after watching Lando Norris finish second to Verstappen to reduce his own gap to Piastri to 14 points.
"When Max, and even Lando, were so far behind, you'd say, realistically, Oscar's got this in the bag. Before you know it, everyone's catching him up, and it's all looking a little tight and a bit sweaty."
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Remarkable and exceptional
Whilst Hill concedes to an element of surprise at what has unfolded since the summer break, he also appreciates that should not be the case, given what he has experienced over the years in F1.
Additionally, there is the 'Max factor' to take into consideration, with Hill full of praise for the 28-year-old, but also his Red Bull team.
"Formula 1 always throws up the unexpected, and remarkable things happen," said Hill. "Maybe it's the pressure as you get towards the end, maybe that's part of it.
"It is about finding out who's relentless, who's the best, and you have to say that everyone in Formula 1 has to contend with Red Bull and Max. They're not going away, they're not giving up, and they're in with a shout.
"It still is a long shot, yeah, but then he can only have so much good luck. To get eight points in one go, just because both McLarens knocked each other out, that is really ridiculous, and for Oscar then to have a bit of an off weekend.
"And they've found form. He is remarkable and exceptional, but then that's what it's about. They are remarkable and exceptional, and that's why they've won so many. They're astonishing.
"We've seen it before. It's the thing with Michael Schumacher. Who even imagined seven world titles was possible. Everyone thought [Juan Manuel] Fangio [with five] was the limit. Alain Prost wins four and you go, 'Well, that was close. Good effort'.
"Before you know it, someone's winning seven world titles, and Lewis [Hamilton] has over 100 grands prix wins. All these records are just there to be knocked over, and he is phenomenal. Max is phenomenal."
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Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they look back on the US GP and look ahead to this weekend's race in Mexico City. Max Verstappen being a serious threat for McLaren is the lead discussion, after his perfect performance.
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