Battle between Mercedes and Red Bull continues: 'It's not a simple matter'

Formula 1 has seen a thrilling title battle this season between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Both drivers are close on the track and in the standings, making it difficult to predict where the battle will end.

The Dutchman took a big lead over Hamilton after the races in France and Austria but saw it disappear in Britain and Hungary due to two accidents. As a result, the seven-time world champion is currently eight points ahead of his rival, although the battle is far from over.

Mercedes versus Red Bull

So does journalist Mark Hughes, who expects the battle to continue for a long time. "Picking through all the noise of the data we’ve had so far, trying to find a thread which is consistent with everything we’ve seen is not a simple matter," he writes on Motorsportmagazine.com.

"But I still believe it’s advantage Red Bull in the balance of the season in terms of raw performance – but with many possible complicating factors likely to feed in, not least potential engine penalties. This story is set for many twists and turns yet."