The final six races of the Formula 1 season will decide the fate of the world championship. On the one hand, McLaren seems to be the favorite for the constructors' title, on the other, Max Verstappen still has the lead in the drivers' championship. The Dutchman, seeking his fourth world title, now finds himself facing an unexpected obstacle: Lando Norris. Despite the current gap, with 180 points still up for grabs, the British driver is not ready to give up, and there are those who believe in a possible comeback. The gap between Verstappen and Norris is currently 52 points. A considerable margin, but not insurmountable, especially if Red Bull or Verstappen were to make mistakes in the final races, Norris could thus get back into the race for his first world title. McLaren has shown that it has the means to compete at the highest level, and much will depend on the consistency of the British driver, often criticized for not being competitive enough in the decisive battles for the championship.
Steiner's Prediction: Norris Favorite Over Verstappen In Drivers' Championship?
In the paddock, many still see Verstappen as the title favourite, thanks to his experience and success in recent years. However, former Haas team principal Gunther Steiner expressed a different opinion in the podcast The Sports Agents, led by Will Buxton. According to Steiner, Norris could be in an advantageous position in the final sprint: “I think the title fight is wide open between Lando and Max. At the moment, I think Lando is in a better position to win it. He is doing much better, while Max is struggling with his car, and that makes it very interesting.”
Verstappen is having a difficult season, characterized by some lapses that have allowed Norris to get closer. McLaren, for its part, has shown to be extremely competitive, thanks to a car that seems to have found the right technical balance. The next races, including the one in Austin, will be decisive to understand if the updates brought by Red Bull will be able to bring Verstappen back to the top, or if Norris will take over.
Austin: The First Decisive Confrontation
A turning point could come as early as the next United States Grand Prix, Austin. Here we will see whether the developments made to Red Bull can improve the performance of the RB20. With six intense weekends ahead, and three Sprint races to add further unpredictability, the end of the season promises to be exciting and uncertain, with the battle between Verstappen and Norris likely to bring many surprises.
Source statements: FormulaPassion
