McLaren receive 'interesting' warning as resurgent Max Verstappen threatens F1 title

McLaren has been warned that a resurgent Max Verstappen will make the F1 title run "interesting."

Verstappen's back-to-back wins in Italy and Azerbaijan have cut Oscar Piastri's points lead from 104 to 69, following a third and a DNF, respectively, for the championship leader, with Verstappen 44 points behind Lando Norris, currently in second.

Red Bull delivered a floor upgrade to the Monza race, which appears to have transformed the tricky RB21, although a true test of its title credentials awaits in Singapore, a race Verstappen has never won, and is high downforce. 

Both the Monza and Baku wins have come in low downforce configuration, but three-time F1 race winner and former Renault and Ferrari driver Giancarlo Fisichella believes the Dutchman will make the remaining seven rounds "interesting."

"Considering the last couple of races, Verstappen was dominating in racing and qualifying sessions," Fisichella told aceodds.com. 

"No-one expected that big of a jump from Red Bull, and [Yuki] Tsunoda scored a good result as well.

"Red Bull is going the right way, and has found a good package in terms of car balance and setup, which is very fixed for Max's driving style. It will be an interesting end to the season."

Fisichella also touched on the number of F1 rookies on the grid, and picked out countryman Kimi Antonelli and Brazil's Gabriel Bortoleto for particular praise.

"At the start of the season, Antonelli was doing well, then he had a few problems, but in the last race he did very well," Fisichella added of the Mercedes driver.

"I am Italian and I root for Antonelli. Antonelli is a good guy, and he’s quick. He’s just 18. He’s got all the skills to be a world champion.

"Bortoleto really impressed me in F2 and F3, I was a little surprised to see him struggle at the beginning of the season.

"But now, after a few races, he's quicker than Nico Hulkenberg. He's one of my favourite drivers on the grid."