Brundle Predicts F1 Title Battle Shifts Away From Verstappen After Mexico

After a dramatic weekend at the Mexico City Grand Prix, the F1 Drivers' Championship landscape has shifted, with Sky F1 commentator Martin Brundle believing the title fight may no longer include reigning champion Max Verstappen. Lando Norris now leads the standings by a single point over his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, leaving Verstappen 36 points adrift and in need of near-perfect results to remain in contention.

Why it matters:

Martin Brundle’s assessment highlights a significant shift in the 2024 F1 title narrative. For the first time in recent memory, Max Verstappen’s dominance is seriously challenged, suggesting a potential end to his championship streak. The emergence of McLaren as a genuine title contender with two strong drivers marks a pivotal moment in the season, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.

The details:

• Championship Standings: Lando Norris currently leads the Drivers’ Championship by a single point over Oscar Piastri. Max Verstappen is 36 points behind the leader.
• Brundle’s Prediction: Brundle believes Verstappen “has a lot to do” unless he replicates his strong performance from Austin. He predicts McLaren will be faster in at least two of the remaining four races.
• McLaren's Advantage: Brundle emphasized McLaren’s strength in having “two against one,” referring to Norris and Piastri challenging Verstappen, who lacks a strong “rear gunner” from his team. Ferrari and Mercedes cars occasionally snatch valuable points from the top three.
• Key Races: Brundle anticipates strong performances from McLaren in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, where their car is expected to be more competitive.
• Internal McLaren Battle: Brundle suggests the championship is now “between the two McLaren drivers” unless they make critical errors. He specifically notes that Lando Norris “can take it” if Oscar Piastri doesn't return to his earlier season form.

What’s next:

Verstappen himself acknowledged the increased difficulty, stating after Mexico City that “everything needs to go perfect to win,” and admitting that the weekend “didn’t go perfect.” He added, “I think it's going to be tough, but let's see what we can do in other tracks. I hope, of course, we won't experience a weekend like this again, but it still shows that we're not quick in every scenario.” The season continues next week at Interlagos, a track where Verstappen claimed a dominant victory last year. While mathematically still in contention, Brundle’s analysis firmly positions McLaren’s duo as the new favorites for the F1 crown.