Mexico Grand Prix Tips: Verstappen can close gap further
Max Verstappen took another chunk out of the gulf between him and a fifth World Drivers’ Championship with a dominant display at the Circuit of the Americas, and, for the first time this season, the championship does not look destined for a McLaren driver.
The Dutchman has taken 64 points out of Oscar Piastri’s lead in just four rounds, and he is the betting favourite to further close that gap in Mexico City this weekend.
Tip 1 – Max Verstappen to win @ Evens
Two pole positions and two race wins in the United States Sprint weekend leaves Verstappen just 40 points behind Piastri heading into the Mexican Grand Prix, and that result leaves Verstappen as the betting favourite for the title for the first time since the start of the season.
The redesigned front wing and underfloor on the Red Bull has brought the car on par with the previously dominant McLaren, and Verstappen’s superhuman ability behind the wheel has resulted in three wins in the last four Grands Prix for the Dutchman.
He has taken pole position in each of those races and came second in the only race he didn’t win during this period.
Meanwhile, McLaren boss Andrea Stella has confirmed there will be no new development on the MCL39 as the team focuses on the 2026 regulations, further strengthening Verstappen’s title chances.
With multiple teams catching up to McLaren, there are now numerous realistic permutations that would allow Verstappen to retain his World Drivers’ Championship title, and not much can stop the 28-year-old when he has the bit between his teeth.
Verstappen is the most successful driver in the history of the Mexican Grand Prix with five wins since 2017, and he can add another race win to his vast collection on Sunday.
Tip 2 – Lando Norris to beat Oscar Piastri @ 7/10
It is not just Verstappen who has taken big chunks out of Piastri’s lead in the last few races, and Lando Norris can continue the three-way fight for the title by beating his teammate in Mexico.
Norris finished second in Mexico City last year and has beaten his teammate in three of the last four Mexican Grands Prix, finishing at least three positions ahead of Piastri in each of the last two years.
Piastri’s calm and calculated approach appears to be fading with the pressure of the title challenge ramping up, and the Australian heads to Mexico without a podium in each of the last three Grands Prix.
Norris, who finished second last weekend and has two consecutive podium finishes, has beaten his teammate in seven of the last nine Grands Prix, and was unfortunate to suffer a mechanical failure from the lead in the Dutch Grand Prix in August.
With the gap between Norris and Piastri slashed to just 14 points, we’re backing Norris to keep himself in the hunt on Sunday.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change