Max Verstappen 'frightening' reality highlighted as F1 history repeats itself

Martin Brundle has warned that Max Verstappen would be "frightening" Kimi Antonelli if the championship gap between them were smaller, with the Red Bull driver mounting a late-season surge eerily similar to his near-miss against Lando Norris last year.

Verstappen arrives at the United States Grand Prix having won the last two rounds in a row, in Malaysia and Singapore, and sits fourth in the standings on 221 points.

But Antonelli, who leads on 340 points, is edging towards a maiden title with Russell (238), Hamilton (229) and Verstappen all too far adrift to realistically turn the tables.

Should Antonelli win at Circuit of the Americas, he will not yet be champion, unless Hamilton finishes fifth or below and Russell finishes ninth or below.

If the young Italian triumphs in Texas, Verstappen's own interest in the title fight will be mathematically over, regardless of where he takes the chequered flag.

It would be a stark finish to a campaign in which the Dutchman has found serious late-season form, not unlike 12 months ago, when he clawed back an 88-point deficit to Norris before falling two points short in Abu Dhabi — he was even further behind Oscar Piastri, who finished third in the standings.

Speaking on Sky Sports F1, Brundle drew the parallel directly, saying: "He is making an amazing end-of-season charge, just like last year.

"If he were closer to Kimi points-wise, he'd be frightening him just as he did Lando last year.

"Max is in great form. Red Bull have developed the car and power unit incredibly impressively. Max seems happy, and he can always find a tenth or two somewhere. So he is the man to beat."

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Best racing still to come

Brundle also suggested the fight for places behind Antonelli could intensify once the title itself is settled, with Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes all working on updates through the Austin, Mexico City and São Paulo run.

The former F1 driver highlighted how the championship being wrapped up can mean the "gloves are off" in the hunt for wins and podiums.

"But Ferrari look fast, McLaren are excited about some developments they have got coming, Mercedes think they can energise that upgrade that didn't quite pay dividends as well," Brundle added.

"And, you know, sometimes I have seen a championship finish and some of the best races happen afterwards over the decades I have been doing this. Gloves are off then, and everyone is going for it."