Schumacher: Verstappen has no chance of winning the title

Ralf Schumacher believes that Max Verstappen's title chances have slipped considerably, with Mercedes holding a pace advantage over Red Bull.

While Verstappen still holds an eight-point lead in the Drivers' Championship, it's been whittled away in the last two Grand Prix weekends as Lewis Hamilton stormed to victory in Brazil and Qatar.

With Mercedes' performance looking insurmountable heading to two race tracks that should make the most of their straight-line speed, Schumacher reckons it's now Hamilton's championship to win.

"The Mercedes is currently the more stable package," Schumacher told Sky Sport Germany.

However, the former F1 driver turned TV pundit said it's not a reflection of Verstappen's talents.

"Max gives everything and shows how good he is. Under normal circumstances, though, he doesn't stand a chance," said Schumacher.

Luck has evaded Verstappen

Schumacher pointed to the misfortune that Verstappen has experienced this season, especially with the way he lost a near-certain victory in Azerbaijan due to a tyre failure, as well as incidents at Silverstone and the Hungaroring.

Without luck, Schumacher sees no way Verstappen can claim this year's title.

"Maybe he has the luck he has lacked so far," added the six-time Grand Prix winner, looking ahead to the races in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

"If he had this [luck] at the beginning of the season, he might already be World Champion now."