Max Verstappen handed Las Vegas boost as F1 title hopes dwindle

2009 F1 champion Jenson Button has called on Max Verstappen to capitalise on the struggles McLaren may endure at the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend.

The Woking-based squad has consistently highlighted that it expects the event to be a challenge for it.

Its claims come despite winning the last two grands prix with Lando Norris, which has placed the Briton on the verge of winning his first F1 title.

Verstappen currently sits 49 points behind with three rounds remaining, leaving his title hopes in the balance.

Button has suggested he expects Verstappen to hold the upper hand on Norris and Oscar Piastri this weekend.

“It's the track that Max needs to maximise everything,” Button told Sky F1. 

“McLaren has just got to pick up as many points as they can and not lose out to Max. It's going to be super cold. 

“There's also a chance of rain, from what I've seen, which definitely will mix it up.

“It's a fast track Vegas, it's a street course but there are some fast corners there. In the wet, it would be very tricky. It's definitely a Max track.”

However, Button is wary of the strong form McLaren has shown of late, which has swung the title odds in Norris' favour.

“It's a shame to have seen Red Bull and Max drop away the last couple of races, because it was three-car fight for the championship,” he said.

“Now it's definitely a lot trickier for him, still possible if they get that run of performances back since the summer break.

“But it does feel that McLaren has picked it up a little bit and have been actually maximising what they have, whereas I think they probably weren't before. 

“When the drivers start looking at each other for the championship, you don't maximise everything within the team.

“Hopefully they'll be back and it's just about them picking up as many points as they can from the McLaren drivers.”