Verstappen’s Commanding Lead
Max Verstappen has had a dominant start to the 2024 Formula One season, winning seven out of the first nine races and establishing a significant lead in the standings. After winning the championship for the past three years, Verstappen seemed poised to continue his reign as the top driver. However, recent developments have raised doubts about his chances of securing a fourth consecutive title.
Verstappen’s odds of winning the championship have plummeted in recent weeks. He is now only a 2.00 fourth favorite to win the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This decline in his favorability can be attributed to changes in his team’s performance and the emergence of strong competitors.
At the start of the season, Verstappen’s Red Bull car was the fastest on the grid. However, the landscape has shifted, with McLaren now holding the title for the fastest car. Mercedes is closely behind, followed by Ferrari and Red Bull. This change in performance levels has made Verstappen’s path to the championship far from certain.
Lando Norris: The Challenger
While Verstappen’s dominance is being questioned, Lando Norris has emerged as a formidable challenger. Norris, driving for McLaren, has consistently demonstrated strong performances and is currently Verstappen’s closest rival.
Despite being in a slower car than Verstappen, Norris has managed to clinch his maiden race victory in Miami earlier this season. Since then, he has continued to impress, securing pole positions in three out of the last four races. However, Norris has only been able to convert one of these pole positions into a victory.
A significant factor that could impact Norris’s chances of catching Verstappen is the lack of support from his team. McLaren has yet to designate Norris as their number-one driver, instead allowing him and teammate Oscar Piastri to compete for victories. This strategy has proven detrimental in some cases, such as when Piastri overtook Norris during the first lap of the Italian Grand Prix, costing both McLaren drivers a shot at victory.
If Norris hopes to close the 62-point gap between him and Verstappen, he needs full backing from his team. Without their support, his championship aspirations may be at risk.
In conclusion, while Verstappen currently holds a commanding lead in the championship, his chances of securing a fourth consecutive title are not guaranteed. Norris has emerged as a strong challenger, showcasing impressive performances and consistently securing pole positions. However, his championship hopes may hinge on receiving full support from McLaren. As the 2024 Formula One season progresses, it will be interesting to see if anyone can catch Verstappen and make the championship battle even more intense.