Max Verstappen has been labelled a "fighter" and a "winner" as he seeks to catch the McLaren drivers and make F1 history.
After the Mexico City GP, Verstappen finds himself 36 points behind new championship leader Lando Norris, who actually pulled out 10 points over the Dutchman after winning to Verstappen's third-place finish.
Norris himself is just a single point ahead of Oscar Piastri with 116 points remaining in the final four race weekends, with the first of two final Sprint weekends taking place in Brazil for the Sao Paulo GP.
Verstappen trailed Piastri by 104 points following the Dutch GP, and should the Red Bull driver win the title, it will be the greatest number of points overhauled in a season to win the title, as well as earning Verstappen a fifth-straight title.
Only Michael Schumacher, between 2000-2004, has done that in F1, with former Ferrari driver Jean Alesi excited by what is ahead as the season builds to its Abu Dhabi crescendo.
"It is very exciting," Alesi began to select media, including RacingNews365.
"Why, because there are four races left, and we have three drivers who can win the championship.
"Two are in the same team with McLaren, and Max Verstappen is really a fighter and a winner.
"He's had some issues with the car at the beginning of the season, and now the car looks more competitive, and he is really coming back.
"So we are going to have a really intense end to the championship."
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