Max Verstappen heads into the Qatar Grand Prix still fighting to keep his championship hopes alive. The Red Bull star remains in the hunt, but pressure is rising as the season nears its conclusion. With only two races left, every point matters.
Former Formula 1 driver Martin Brundle has praised Lando Norris for showing increased mental toughness. He highlighted how Norris handled Verstappen’s recent comments, seeing it as proof of the McLaren driver’s growing maturity. Brundle believes Norris is no longer easily rattled.
Verstappen had stirred the pot by suggesting he would have already secured the championship if he were driving for McLaren. The remark was widely interpreted as an attempt to destabilise Norris mentally. However, Norris brushed off the comment and maintained his focus on the title battle.
Norris currently sits 22 points ahead of his team-mate Oscar Piastri, giving him a comfortable lead within McLaren. His strong performances across the season have positioned him as a genuine threat in the championship race as the finale approaches.
Meanwhile, Verstappen is 25 points behind Norris with only two grands prix remaining. The gap means the Dutchman must deliver near-perfect results in the closing rounds to keep his title hopes alive. The psychological battle between the two adds another layer to an already tense championship fight.
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