ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 12: Race winner and 2021 F1 World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Kamran Jebreili - Pool/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX *** // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202112120678 // Usage for editorial use only //
Damon Hill, the 1996 Formula 1 World Champion, has weighed in with his perspective on Max Verstappen’s bid for a fourth world title.
Despite recent setbacks for Red Bull Racing, Hill is confident that Verstappen remains the strong favorite for the 2024 championship.
Verstappen, who has dominated much of the 2024 season, winning seven of the first ten races, has encountered a notable dip in form recently. He hasn’t secured a victory in his last four outings, marking his worst run since a similar drought in 2020. This recent slump has seen the Red Bull RB20 fall behind the McLaren MCL38 and the rejuvenated Mercedes W15.
Nevertheless, Verstappen holds a commanding 78-point lead over his closest rival, Lando Norris. With 284 points still up for grabs over the remaining ten races, including three sprint races, Verstappen’s position remains strong. The Dutch driver has urged his team to enhance their car’s development rate to maintain his edge. Despite these concerns, Hill’s “gut prediction” suggests that Verstappen is likely to secure his fourth title.
Hill, speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, expressed his belief that it will be a significant challenge for other competitors to thwart Verstappen’s championship quest. “My gut reaction is that it is going to be a tall order to stop Max Verstappen in a Red Bull,” Hill stated. He acknowledged the growing competition but emphasized Verstappen’s tenacity and skill. “He has shown that he is prepared to fight every inch of the track to keep those victories and he is able to pull results out of the hat,” Hill noted.
Despite Verstappen’s recent criticisms of the team and calls for increased development, Hill remains optimistic about the driver’s chances. Verstappen’s relentless drive and ability to extract the maximum from his car, even when it’s not at its best, are key factors in his continued success. Hill believes that while Verstappen will face a fierce challenge from his rivals, his talent and the potential for further improvements in the Red Bull car will keep him in contention for the championship until the very end.
