'In tune' Verstappen hunting perfect 10 at Monza

Max Verstappen is on the cusp of another new record as he prepares for the Italian Grand Prix and another step towards a near-inevitable third consecutive Formula One world title.

READ | Red Bull boss hails Verstappen's ability to perform under pressure

The dominant Dutchman is red-hot favourite to break the record of nine straight GP wins he shares with four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel after drawing level with the German at Zandvoort last weekend.

Verstappen delighted an army of home fans at the Dutch Grand Prix with a superb victory in wild conditions which extended his lead at the top of the drivers' standings over Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez to 138 points.

The 25-year-old looks nailed on to smash his own records for wins and points in a season - 15 and 454 respectively, both set last year.

He could break the wins record at the so-called 'Temple of Speed' where he won comfortably last season despite starting seventh on the grid due to a power unit penalty.

Red Bull's chief technical officer Adrian Newey told Autosport on Wednesday that Verstappen has become "one of the all-time greats" after winning 11 of this season's 13 GPs and effectively racing his own championship.

"Since he won the championship in '21 I think that took a took a lot of pressure off himself, and his driving has got a lot better for that," said Newey.

"He's totally in tune. The thing about Max, like all the real greats, is that you have the impression he almost drives the car on automatic, which leaves plenty of processing power to think about everything."

Drivers

1. Max Verstappen (NED) 339 pts, 2. Sergio Perez (MEX) 201, 3. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 168, 4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 156, 5. Carlos Sainz (ESP) 102, 6. Charles Leclerc (MON) 99, 7.