Max Verstappen Still a Major F1 Title Threat, Warns Johnny Herbert

Former F1 driver Johnny Herbert has issued a stern warning to McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris: Max Verstappen remains a significant contender for the drivers' title, despite a seemingly large points gap. Verstappen's recent surge, particularly since Red Bull's new floor debuted at the Italian GP, has dramatically cut into Piastri's championship lead, proving the reigning champion is far from out of the fight.

Why it matters:

• After a period where Piastri seemed to be consolidating his lead, Verstappen's resurgence introduces renewed tension and uncertainty into the championship battle.
• The tight internal competition between Piastri and Norris at McLaren could inadvertently play into Verstappen's hands, allowing him to chip away at their points advantage.
• This development suggests the latter half of the season could be far more competitive and unpredictable than previously imagined, with a potential for a thrilling three-way fight.

The Details:

• Since Red Bull introduced a new floor at the Italian GP, Verstappen has consistently gained points on Piastri.
• Over the last three races (Italy, Azerbaijan, Singapore), Verstappen secured two victories and a second-place finish.
• Before Monza, Verstappen was 104 points behind Piastri; this deficit has now been nearly halved to 63 points.
• Even at Singapore, a circuit historically challenging for Red Bull, the RB21 performed strongly, with no McLaren driver finishing ahead of Verstappen since Zandvoort.
• Herbert emphasizes that the ongoing battle between Piastri and Norris could lead to them taking points off each other, benefiting Verstappen.
• Singapore Impact: Herbert highlighted that Lando Norris benefited most from Singapore within McLaren, closing the gap to Piastri to just 22 points. However, Verstappen still managed to take points from both McLaren drivers, further reducing Piastri's overall lead. This demonstrates Verstappen's ability to capitalize even when not winning.

The Big Picture:

Verstappen's ability to consistently perform and secure strong results, even on tracks less suited to the Red Bull, underscores his championship pedigree. The internal rivalry at McLaren, while a sign of their strength, also presents a strategic challenge. If Piastri and Norris continue to fight intensely for race wins, they risk ceding valuable points to a relentless Verstappen, who has proven he can 'get the job done in difficult situations.' This creates a dynamic where McLaren's success could paradoxically be their biggest threat in the championship fight, as a split of points might allow Verstappen to catch up.

What's next:

• The upcoming races will be crucial in determining if Verstappen can maintain this momentum and further close the gap. McLaren will need to manage their drivers' competition carefully to ensure they maximize points against their primary rival.
• Observers will be watching to see if Red Bull's performance gains are sustainable across different circuit types, or if McLaren can find another gear to re-establish their dominance and halt Verstappen's charge.
• The championship battle is far from over, and Herbert's warning serves as a reminder that overlooking Verstappen would be a critical mistake for McLaren.