With six races to go in the 2024 Formula 1 season, the fight for the world title is tighter than ever. Max Verstappen, chasing his fourth consecutive title, finds himself facing an unexpected challenge from Lando Norris and the surprising McLaren. After a start to the season dominated by Red Bull, the Woking team has recovered ground thanks to technical developments that have allowed Norris to gradually close in on the championship leader. With just 52 points of advantage, Verstappen is in a less secure position than it seems. In this context, the words of Nico Rosberg, world champion in 2016, offer an interesting key to understanding the end of the season. Interviewed during an episode of the podcast Sky F1Nico Rosberg has highlighted how the three remaining Sprint races could represent a hurdle for Verstappen and an opportunity for Norris to recover valuable points.
The weight of Sprints: a decisive variable
The Sprint races, scheduled for Austin, Interlagos and Losail, will be a key factor in the title fight. Each of these races awards eight points to the winner, creating a significant opportunity to make up ground in the standings. Rosberg stressed how this adds further pressure on Verstappen, who is already facing increasingly tough competition. “Verstappen will not be happy that F1 has put all these Sprint races on the calendar,” said Nico Rosberg. “A win is worth eight points and there are three races: that’s a lot of points. With the way his car is going, that adds a lot of pressure on Max.”
Verstappen has always expressed doubts about the Sprint format, despite having achieved excellent results in the past. The Dutchman has won 10 of the 15 Sprints held to date, while Norris is yet to take a win in the format. However, Rosberg believes that the increasing competitiveness of Norris and McLaren, combined with the support of his teammate Oscar Piastri, could pose a real threat to Verstappen. “Lando can really win them and, sooner or later, he will also have Oscar’s help. For Max to finish second in all the remaining races is difficult, almost impossible: there is Oscar, there are Ferrari and Mercedes.”
Verstappen and Norris: Fates Intertwined at Season Finale
Verstappen's season, which started out as a dominant one, has taken a dip in recent races. Although the Dutch champion maintains a solid lead, the evolution of McLaren has closed the gap, allowing Norris to take two wins in the last four races. Norris' triumph at Zandvoort, Verstappen's home race, was a strong signal, showing that the Briton is ready to compete at the highest level for the world title.
The Sprint races, with their short format and crucial points awarded, represent an additional challenge for Verstappen, who will have to maintain maximum concentration to avoid mistakes. While it has shown it can handle pressure in the past, the current context is different: Red Bull is no longer the dominant early-season car, and McLaren has become the car to beat on many circuits.
Piastri's role in the title fight
Rosberg also underlined the importance of the contribution of Oscar Piastri Norris’s young teammate, who could play a key role in supporting the Briton’s title push. Piastri, who has shown excellent pace in recent races, could be the key to putting pressure on Verstappen. “Piastri will be a key ally for Norris. Max will not only have to worry about Lando, but also Oscar, and with Ferrari and Mercedes poised to enter the fray, the road to the title becomes much more complicated.”
Rosberg's words highlight a key strategic element: McLaren's ability to play its cards, exploiting both Norris' talent and Piastri's growing support, to put Verstappen under pressure at every stage of the weekend.
An ending yet to be decided
With 180 points still up for grabs, between classic and Sprint races, the title fight remains wide open. Norris has shown he has the speed and determination to challenge Verstappen, but the real unknown will be how both will handle the pressure of a season finale in which any mistake could be fatal. The Sprints, according to Rosberg, add an unpredictable variable that could reshuffle the cards on the table.
“Verstappen will have to be careful,” concluded Nico Rosberg, “because with the Sprints on the calendar, the title fight could go all the way to the last race. If Norris continues with this momentum, it doesn’t mean the title is already in Max’s hands.”
Source statements: FormulaPassion
