AUSTIN, Texas -- For the first time this season, a McLaren driver is no longer the favorite to win the Formula 1 world championship. ESPN BET Sportsbook currently has Max Verstappen at +150, while Oscar Piastri is +175 and Lando Norris +200.

Just three races ago, Verstappen's odds were as long as +8000, underlining the speed at which he has slashed Piastri's lead in the drivers' standings.

Such has been the turnaround by Red Bull and Verstappen that McLaren could be forgiven for panicking after another underwhelming weekend at the U.S. Grand Prix . But while the rest of the world is waking up to the idea of Verstappen overhauling the largest points gap in F1 history to win his fifth title, McLaren has been fully aware of the threat for several races.

"The danger for me is th

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