Ecclestone now sees "special" Verstappen as the F1 title favourite

10:52, 04 Nov

Updated: 14:22, 04 Nov

byKada Sarkozi

Bernie Ecclestone believes Max Verstappen is now the favourite to win the 2025 title, despite the Dutchman still trailing the two McLaren drivers in the standings.

The former F1 supremo has weighed in on the 2025 title fight with four rounds remaining, stating that Verstappen is a special driver.

Heading into the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, where a total of 33 points will be up for grabs during the sprint weekend, the defending world champion sits 36 points behind Lando Norris in the standings.

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When asked whether Verstappen is now the title favourite, Ecclestone told sport.de: "There’s no doubt about that.

"The car is super. They've done a good job with the car. But Max is a little bit special. He's a race driver. He gets on with what he's supposed to be doing. He's not political, he's just a race driver."

Max Verstappen Red Bull F1 GP Mexico thinking

Verstappen is now only 36 points behind in the standings - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Ecclestone sees Norris' title would be "better" for McLaren

Oscar Piastri lost the championship lead to his teammate at the Mexico City Grand Prix, finishing only fifth. For the first time since Bahrain, the Australian is no longer at the top of the drivers’ standings.

Ecclestone continued: "When the season started, I thought the Australian driver would be world champion. I thought he'd win easy, but something's holding him back.

"I don't know what it is. I don't know whether it's McLaren holding him back or what.

"There was a bit of a problem inside the team, I understand, where it looked very much like they were favouring the British driver."

According to the Briton, Norris' title would work "better" for the Woking-based team.

He concluded: "I think he would fall into the star quality more. I think from that point of view, he would act better. I think he likes the television, likes the camera, likes to speak to journalists. So, I suppose that's better for McLaren."

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