Max Verstappen: Red Bull driver’s advantage in F1 title fight over Sebastian Vettel, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri F1 News

Former world champion Sebastian Vettel says Max Verstappen has the advantage of being under less pressure than Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the F1 title race. He also described the Dutchman’s continued rate of improvement as “frightening”.

Verstappen heads into the final two races of the season with an unexpected late chance to clinch a record-equalling fifth straight championship, having won four of the past seven races.

The outside bid for the Red Bull driver was further strengthened by the disqualification of the McLaren driver in Las Vegas last weekend due to excessive plank wear.

This means Verstappen, who won last Sunday, is now level on points with second-placed Piastri, who was 104 points adrift just eight races ago, and 24 points clear of leader Norris with 58 points left to play in Qatar this weekend and Abu Dhabi next week.

And Vettel, who became Red Bull’s first four-time world champion between 2010 and 2013, was asked on the F1 podcast Beyond the Grid if he felt less pressure than his rivals because of Verstappen’s experience. “Right now, yes, but also because he has won championships. Not many people have won as many championships.”

“He doesn’t have to prove to himself that he can win a championship.

“And in the position that he’s in now, hunting, he’s like, ‘Okay, everything has to be perfect, and if it works, it works, and if it doesn’t, it doesn’t work.’

Vettel, who raced with Verstappen for eight seasons before retiring in 2022, also spoke about the traits of the Dutchman that most impressed him.

“I think the scary thing is he’s getting better,” Vettel said.

“We know he is good, but he is still improving. He still has a hungry spirit and is still willing to learn.

“I think he works hard behind the scenes and I think that’s what makes him so strong. Of course, on top of that he’s blessed with a lot of talent, but I think ultimately it’s the combination that makes him so strong, even though he’s one of the most talented drivers on the grid.”

“But the key factor is his head. In important critical situations, he keeps his head, makes few mistakes and executes when needed.”

“He feels the pressure and so do we. I don’t think it’s possible that he doesn’t feel the pressure, but he’s able to find space in his head and put it aside and focus on what’s important.”

Vettel talks about Norris and Piastri’s season

Vettel spoke earlier this year of his admiration for championship leader Norris and what the Briton has said about mental health and his feelings.

As such, the German said he was happy to see Norris return to his best form in recent months, after a shaky first half of the season where he fell behind Piastri in the standings.

“Seeing how he came back makes him even stronger,” Vettel said of Norris, who had his first chance to become world champion at Sunday’s Qatar Grand Prix.

“He’s back, he hasn’t really left, but maybe there was a phase during the season where he was struggling a little bit more to get the ultimate consistency and the best performance.

“But I was very impressed with his driving and the weekend in Mexico was probably one of his best ever.”

“He has a very mature mind. He has a lot of racing intelligence,” he added of Piastri, who, like Vettel, is aiming to win his first title in his third full season in F1.

“He’s definitely going to get better with time.”

F1’s season-ending triple header continues with the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint weekend, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 from Friday. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract