Martin Brundle expects Max Verstappen to keep up an aggressive strategy to racing in the course of the ultimate six rounds of the 2024 System 1 season because the Dutchman seeks to carry on to his world championship lead over Lando Norris.
Pink Bull’s Verstappen holds a 52-point lead over McLaren’s Norris forward of this weekend’s United States Grand Prix, the primary leg of an important triple-header, stay on Sky Sports activities F1, with races in Mexico and Brazil to observe.
After profitable seven of the opening 10 grands prix of the season to open a commanding championship lead, Verstappen has remarkably gone eight races with out a win as Pink Bull’s lack of tempo has enabled McLaren to leapfrog them within the constructors’ standings.
Some have speculated that Verstappen would possibly select to take a conservative strategy to the ultimate rounds as he seeks a fourth successive title, merely specializing in scoring as many factors as doable at every occasion somewhat than fascinated with race wins, however Brundle rejects that notion.
“No, I don’t think Max does seeing out,” the Sky Sports activities F1 pundit mentioned. “I feel he’ll be going for it huge time.
“And one of these next six – don’t forget we’ve got three Sprint races as well that will generate some points – I think Max could win one or two of those somewhere and just turn the tables a little bit more.”
Regardless of not having had the quickest automobile on the grid for a protracted interval, Verstappen has nonetheless managed to persistently rating factors, with three second locations secured throughout his winless streak.
Verstappen additionally, maybe crucially, gained factors on Norris on the Austrian Grand Prix in June when the Brit retired after the pair collided when battling for the lead. Whereas Verstappen was penalised for inflicting the collision, some questioned whether or not Norris might have handed his rival with out taking as a lot threat.
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Lando Norris and Max Verstappen crash within the Austrian Grand Prix, with each drivers then lacking out on P1.
Brundle thinks that Verstappen’s better title battle expertise, which stretches again to when he controversially edged out Lewis Hamilton in 2021, might proceed to be an element over the approaching weeks.
“It’s massive,” he mentioned. “In Austria, we noticed they tripped over one another. Lando underestimated his mate Max as to how aggressive he can be in fight.
‘Norris nonetheless on studying slope’
Whereas Brundle thinks expertise might give Verstappen an edge, he additionally believes there have not too long ago been clear indicators of growth for Norris.
The 24-year-old claimed dominant victories final outing in Singapore and a month earlier on the Dutch Grand Prix, which have helped him scale back Verstappen’s benefit.
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Lando Norris cruised to victory on the Singapore Grand Prix forward of title rival Max Verstappen, whereas McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri accomplished the rostrum.
“I think he’s learned from that (Austria incident), and he’s still on a slope like that in terms of his learning,” Brundle mentioned.
“Winning races consistently, he’s just started to do that now. Leading from pole at the end of the first lap, he’s got that sorted out.
“And simply the way in which he received in Holland and the way in which he received in Singapore was simply unbelievable. So, all of these issues will give him confidence.”
Whether or not it is within the ultimate phases of this season – which concludes with one other triple header of races in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi – or sooner or later, Brundle believes Norris might want to show he has the psychological power to develop into a world champion.
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A probably enormous second within the championship as Lando Norris passes title rival Max Verstappen and finishes in P4 after beginning the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in P15.
“He’s got the speed, the team have certainly got a great car,” Brundle added. “I think Lando is growing and learning and getting more and more confident.
“Chasing and being chased are utterly totally different tales in any sport, so if he will get close to to profitable the world championship, whether or not it is this 12 months or subsequent 12 months, how robust is his head?
“I don’t think you know with anybody until that moment arrives, but he looks like he’s got the raw speed.”
Simply six races stay in System 1 2024 and the season resumes with the USA Grand Prix in Austin from October 18-20, stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
