Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has warned McLaren that the Milton Keynes-based outfit are "competing again", following an almost perfect Saturday at the United States Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen comfortably converted sprint pole into an 11th sprint victory, before missing out on grand prix pole to Lando Norris by 0.031s.
The Dutchman was up on Norris' time after the first sector of his final Q3 hot lap, only for a George Russell crash to trigger double-waved yellow flags in the final corners.
Verstappen comfortably had the pace for pole and would have secured it on his first Q3 lap had he not gone wide at Turn 19.
Even on the lap he was forced to abort, a small error was made by the 27-year-old. Nevertheless, Marko is delighted that the team is looking competitive again.
"Max had a tenth lead until the second sector," Marko told Sky DE. "There he had a bad exit at Turn 19, although the third sector was our strong point.
"A lot was possible. We are competing again, I would say. We're on the front row. It's hard to say how the race will go.
"The temperatures will be higher, so tyre wear is a factor. And I also think Ferrari will be very strong, just like in the sprint race."
Following the sprint race, Verstappen was the favourite for pole position. Norris was not seen as a genuine contender, with the Briton's pace having not been the best earlier in the day.
Norris securing pole has convinced Marko that McLaren made changes, as Oscar Piastri was also stronger than he had been.
However, despite McLaren's improvement, Marko still views Verstappen as having the edge.
"I think McLaren has changed the car," Marko told Servus TV. "In the sprint race, Lando's front tyres went out.
"Maybe that was also because he tried to attack Max, but they learned from it. Both cars were significantly better than in the sprint race. However, I think Max will definitely be strong."
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