Former F1 driver Martin Brundle believes one of the two McLaren drivers will emerge victorious in the title fight despite a late threat from Max Verstappen.
Verstappen has significantly closed the gap to the championship leader across the last handful of races.
The gap to Oscar Piastri sat at 104 points after Zandvoort, a lead that now reads just 36 to Lando Norris after the Mexico City Grand Prix.
However, with just four rounds remaining in the season, Brundle believes McLaren will hold an advantage at at least half of the events.
“Right now, after that performance of the weekend, I believe Max has a lot to do, unless he has a few weekends like Austin,” Brundle told Sky F1.
“Because of the remaining four events, I believe McLaren will be faster in at least two of them.
“It’s two against one. Max doesn't have a rear gunner up there, and every so often, a Ferrari or a Mercedes is grabbing the bigger points in the top three as well.”
However, with the McLaren duo now separated by just one point, every minor advantage could help in the quest for the title.
Should the pair adopt a gloves-off approach and become more aggressive on the track, Brundle believes it could play into Verstappen's hands.
“I believe it's between the two McLaren drivers unless they step on their own tails and hand it to Max,” he said.
“Max really effectively needs 12 or 15 points a weekend to compensate for [other] weekends.
“I believe in Qatar, for example, the McLaren will be strong, probably Abu Dhabi as well.
“I think Lando can take it unless Oscar can return to the form that he had earlier in this season, and providing they don't step on their own tails.”
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Sam Coop, Fergal Walsh and Nick Golding, as they look back on last weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix. Lando Norris' crushing victory is a lead talking point, as is Max Verstappen keeping himself firmly in title contention.
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