Sebastian Vettel has named Max Verstappen as his favourite to win the 2024 World Championship. According to the former Red Bull driver, the Dutchman is ‘so hardened, so confident’ that he can secure his fourth world title even without the most dominant car on the grid. He also noted that Norris is no longer easily winning every race, according to the former driver.
The title fight between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris is reaching a climax during the final races of the season. The Brit is gradually closing in on the Dutchman in the drivers’ championship, having reduced his deficit to just 47 points. However, former driver Sebastian Vettel does not believe that Norris can beat Verstappen.
“As much as I would like us all to have a truly exciting race to the end, I think Max is now so hardened, so confident in his driving,” the German cites as the reason why Verstappen will clinch his fourth world title, speaking to Sky Germany. “We rarely see mistakes from him, from his side.”
‘Still strong enough’
Verstappen has been struggling with issues on his RB20 since the Grand Prix of China, but even that, according to Vettel, will not help Norris. “Even if his car may not be as strong as it was at the beginning of the year, I still see him as the favourite,” continues the four-time world champion. “I think he is still strong enough to always score enough points. And Lando is no longer in a position where he can win every race so easily.”
“So I would say that the favourite’s role is clear, and it lies with Max. But as an independent observer, of course, I also hope that it gets even closer,” says Vettel. McLaren has overtaken Red Bull in the constructors’ championship and is 29 points ahead of second-place Ferrari.
