Despite being 94 points adrift, McLaren boss Andrea Stella warns; Write off Max Verstappen's title hopes at your peril.

Ignoring the issues that befell Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, the fact is that four-time world champion Verstappen is a man on a mission. Despite the odds being very much against him, he's a fighter and he doesn't give up.

Against all odds he grabbed pole position at Monza and went on to lead home the McLaren pair by almost 20s, and now, two weeks later, again, against all odds, he is on pole in Baku, a circuit where Red Bull has never enjoyed success, the circuit not suiting its cars.

Yet here he is on pole, with title protagonists Piastri and Norris starting 9th and 7th respectively.

Andrea Stella fears that the Dutchman isn't merely lining up another 'surprise' win but is actually mounting a challenge for his fifth title.

"Well, the takeaway from the Monza race, and the way we have reviewed this internally and set our mind-set for the final third of the season, was that Red Bull's performance in Monza should not be considered a one-off because of Monza, or because of low downforce," said the Italian in the aftermath of a disastrous qualifying session for his team.

"They have taken a new floor to Monza," he continued. "They might be setting up their car slightly differently. We hear now Verstappen talking about grounding much more than it was doing before. So they might have unlocked performance, and I would not be surprised at all that Red Bull continues the streak that they have started.

"Pole position in Monza, victory, pole position here... Red Bull are a very serious contender to win races and a very serious contender for the drivers' championship."

Asked if he seriously believed what he had just said, he replied: "A firm yes!

"Can you write it in capitals?" he added. "Because it was quoted in capitals.

"We don't have to forget that first of all he's Max Verstappen, world champion for the last four years, in a fast car.

"Like I said before, there are races where McLaren may not enjoy any advantage from a competitiveness point of view.

"Lando and Oscar are always there, so they won't necessarily be maximising the points available. Sometimes it will be a little bit more points for Lando and a little bit more for Oscar, so they may take some points away from each other. We are very aware of this aspect, but we let them race because they both deserve to pursue their aspirations. Therefore, yes, Verstappen and Red Bull are in contention for the drivers' championship."

Check out our Sunday gallery from Baku here.