Verstappen and Norris handed 'magic guy' prediction warning by former F1 boss

Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hailed Oscar Piastri "a magic guy" who will win the F1 drivers' title "within the next two years".

Ecclestone, who ran the rule over F1 for 40 years, still maintains a watching brief over the sport and is backing Australian Piastri to become champion following a stellar introduction.

In only his second season this year, Piastri has pushed team-mate Lando Norris to such an extent that McLaren has effectively had to declare its support for the Briton in the fight for the drivers' crown.

Norris heads into the final six races trailing Max Verstappen by 52 points, with Piastri a further 42 points adrift.

Ecclestone, however, has seen enough from Piastri to make a definitive call on the 22-year-old.

"He is a magic guy," said Ecclestone, in an interview to sport.de. "He will, for sure, be a world champion."

As to when that will happen, Ecclestone replied: "Within the next two years. If the car keeps performing the way it is, that's what will happen", further endorsing Piastri as "he stands out amongst all the others".

Verstappen 'has to have a bit of luck'

Before then, Ecclestone has no doubt Verstappen will become a four-time F1 champion this season.

As McLaren has emerged as the team to beat, so Norris has been slowly reeling in Verstappen, although he will seemingly need a helping hand if he is to overhaul the Dutch driver, even with 180 points up for grabs from the remaining six grands prix and three sprints.

Ecclestone, though, feels it is a bridge too far for Norris.

"He [Verstappen] has already got a lead so now he just has to have a little bit of luck," said Ecclestone. "But I think Max, in general, should be able to be champion."

Ecclestone is also convinced McLaren "will win the constructors' championship" now it has passed long-time leaders Red Bull and opened up a 41-point cushion.

The 93-year-old claims the team has "two very confident drivers and a very good car', with Norris, in particular, overcoming his early travails.

"He has, up to now, made a few mistakes which he knows he's made and he wished he hadn't," remarked Ecclestone. "But I think he's sorted things out pretty well now."