It was not at all foreseeable two months ago that there would be such an exciting three-way battle in the drivers’ standings in this year’s Formula 1 season. At that time, defending champion Max Verstappen was already over 100 points behind world championship leader Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ standings. But now everything seems possible again, says long-time Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher.
Four races before the end of the season, the two McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris and Max Verstappen in the Red Bull are only 36 points apart. Four-time F1 champion Verstappen recently finished on the podium six times in a row and is far from giving up on his fifth world championship.
After his most recent victory in Mexico last Sunday, ex-racing driver Ralf Schumacher currently sees Lando Norris in the best starting position. But the 50-year-old still sees chances for the title for Max Verstappen, as he explained to “Sky”.
“At the moment you have to say that Norris is on top. He feels comfortable in the car, seems relaxed, is smiling – he’s really enjoying it again. That gives him self-confidence, also because he notices that Piastri makes mistakes and that he can beat him. That helps, of course. But still: it’s super exciting, very close. Verstappen is pushing from behind, and I think that’s definitely worrying them both.”
Schumacher trusts Verstappen to win in Brazil
Mentally, the Dutchman has clearly appeared the strongest recently and has been getting everything he can out of his Red Bull car for months.
Video: Marko exclusive: “Red Bull still believes in the title”
The upcoming track profile in Interlagos could now suit Verstappen more next weekend, which is why, according to Ralf Schumacher, the three-way championship battle could become even more intense.
“The next weekend is very crucial. He (Max Verstappen, editor’s note) has to get closer now and maybe needs a little help. […] The Red Bull wasn’t quite at its previous strength in Mexico, but Verstappen was extremely strong in the second stint with the softer tires. From that point of view, in my opinion he can win in Brazil.”