Max Verstappen handed F1 title boost as McLaren chase heats up

Former F1 team principal Otmar Szafnauer believes the drivers' championship will be “all to play for” as he expects Max Verstappen to come out on top in Brazil.

With just four rounds remaining in the season, Brazil is the next stop on the schedule, a grand prix the Dutchman has won three times in the past.

Verstappen currently sits 34 points down on championship leader Lando Norris, who dominated the Mexico City Grand Prix last week.

Norris is now one point ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri, having taken over the lead of the standings for the first time since April following his win at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriquez.

While Norris has been the driver in form at McLaren of late, Szafnauer highlighted the ever-present threat of a dramatic shift swinging in one driver's favour.

“It could change, and like I say, it's going to be the driver that makes the least mistakes or doesn't have a DNF because of either a failure or crash, will win it,” Szafnauer exclusively told RacingNews365.

“On the competitiveness front, they [Norris and Piastri] are pretty similar, and in points, they're pretty similar - one point, this late in the season.”

Max Verstappen predicted to win Sao Paulo GP

Prior to Mexico, Verstappen enjoyed a strong run of form with three grand prix wins in four events. 

It saw him dramatically reduce the championship deficit from 104 points to become an outside consideration in the championship battle as he seeks to add a fifth title to his list of successes.

Szafnauer believes Verstappen enters the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix, which will have more points on offer due to the sprint format, as the favourite.

“Brazil will be telling, Max is great in Brazil,” he said. “I can see him winning Brazil.

“And if that's the case, that gap will get even smaller, so it will all be to play for.

“Like I said Max is a little bit less risk-averse and he's got the skill to do it. So let's see, it should be good fun going into the last four races.”

Verstappen ended the Mexico City Grand Prix in third, having endured a dramatic opening lap which saw him skate across Turn 1 after locking up his tyres.

When it was pointed out to him that it was an example of being willing to take risks in the late stages of the season, Szafnauer replied: “But that’s Max. And you got to commend him for that. 

“He’s just a great, great racing driver. And [he has] less to lose.”