F1 champion can’t rule Verstappen out: "He's going to be up there”

This week, the Formula 1 season continues with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos.

According to former F1 driver and steward Herbert, championship leader Norris will win back-to-back Grands Prix after his triumph in Mexico City.

The Briton said on the Stay on Track podcast: "If he keeps in the bubble that he's in mentally, I think yes, I think it will carry on through, because I think he's in that powerful position to carry on doing an easier race weekend than what it was before. It was made more complicated [before]. I think it's more free now. And that freedom will allow him to do the job."

Co-host and 1996 world champion Hill also noticed improvement from Norris’ teammate, Oscar Piastri, in the last race, despite the Australian being on the back foot all weekend.

Hill explained: "It's possible he's recovered some confidence and also he's now got the weight of that thing, he now knows he's not holding the championship, the ring. It's not destabilizing him, he's got to fight back. So, it's a straight fight with him."

The former champion also named other contenders. "Obviously, Max is going to be a disturbing factor. Ferrari, maybe, who didn't do too badly back in Mexico."

In the current era of cars, only George Russell has managed to win at Interlagos apart from Verstappen. Herbert therefore also put Mercedes’ name in the hat for next weekend too.

Norris won the previous Grand Prix by the largest margin of the season. Despite that result, Hill still expects Red Bull and Verstappen to be right up there with the Woking-based team.

He continued: "I don't know whether McLaren have found a sweet spot with their setup, but, Red Bull have been bringing upgrades. So I don't know if it's going to be a straightforward race for either of the McLarens, because I think Max could be in there on the front row. "

Herbert could only agree as well. "He’s going to be definitely hustling and pressurising them."

With four rounds to go in the current campaign, only a single point separates Norris and Piastri, and defending world champion Verstappen trails the Briton by 36 points.

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