‘Unpredictable’ Max Verstappen factor highlighted in ‘spiced-up’ F1 title fight

The "unpredictability" and "entertainment" being served up by Max Verstappen have been highlighted as reasons why he is being suddenly cheered on by neutral F1 fans in the fight for this year's drivers' title.

From a deficit of 104 points to championship leader Oscar Piastri after the Australian's win in Verstappen's backyard of Zandvoort, three races later, and the four-time F1 champion has slashed that to 63 with still 174 on the table from the final six grands prix and three sprints.

For many non-Verstappen fans, the Dutchman has gone from being the driver people loved to hate over his four triumphant years, to now being cheered on as the underdog in the battle with Piastri and the McLaren driver's team-mate, Lando Norris.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with RacingNews365, former F1 driver Perry McCarthy, who also played The Stig in the television series Top Gear, explained the transformation behind Verstappen.

"People like unpredictability," said McCarthy.

"For quite a while, we've assumed that McLaren is going to be front-row material with both cars, but that's starting to change a bit, and as a spectator, it spices things up.

"I'm sometimes thinking, 'Wow! Max is there! Come on, this is going to be an entertaining fight', and that's what we're looking at - entertainment and a show of skill."

McLaren 'emotions rising'

Verstappen scored victories in Italy and Azerbaijan, both from pole position, and followed that up with second place in Singapore to continue to give himself a fighting chance against the McLaren duo.

Many feel, however, that despite taking 41 points out of Piastri in the last three races, the cushion between the two is significant.

Former F1, CART and Le Mans racer Derek Daly is adamant Verstappen has a chance, highlighting an incident between him and a previous Red Bull team-mate a few years ago that shows what can happen if Piastri and Norris were involved in something similar.

Asked if the gap was too big between Piastri and Verstappen, Daly said: "I don't think so. Do you remember what happened with Red Bull in Baku, when [Daniel] Ricciardo ran into the back of Max [in 2018]?

"What if the two McLarens take each other out on the first or second lap, or some lap? I mean, they're getting close. They're wheel-to-wheel. Emotions are rising in the camp.

"It's still an outside chance for Verstappen, but it's far from over."