Oscar Piastri feliciteert Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri - Photo: Race Pictures

'I still can't see that Max wins the title, but never say never'

14:01, 30 Sep

byOlly Darcy

Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer refuses to rule out Max Verstappen in the drivers' championship, despite saying that he "does not see" the Dutchman making up the current deficit.

"The conversation is coming up again with a little bit more ferocity right now."

- Jolyon Palmer on Max Verstappen's title chances.

The four-time world champion currently sits 69 points away from Oscar Piastri in the standings, with the Australian leading the way on 324 points, while Verstappen's 255 points are good enough for P3.

Verstappen looked to be out of title contention due to many struggles with the RB21. However, after some updates were brought by Red Bull, consecutive wins at the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix have catapulted the 27-year-old back into the picture.

Max Verstappen celebrating his Baku win - Photo: Race Pictures

"This is the question I think [is] on everyone's lips, isn't it?" Palmer said when asked about Verstappen's title chances on the F1 Nation podcast.

"I was pretty quick to shoot anyone down that kept saying, after Monza, 'Max is in it, Max is in it.' No way. He's so far away, it's just not possible. But then he's just gone and closed a full 25 points in a weekend.

"Obviously, the conversation is coming up again with a little bit more ferocity right now. I still can't see that Max wins it. 69 points behind Oscar, you've got Lando there as well. But, because it's Max, I think you'd never say never.

Singapore could pose problems for Red Bull

The Marina Bay Street Circuit will play host this weekend for the Singapore Grand Prix, a circuit that has cause Verstappen and Red Bull issues over the years, and that is something Palmer believes could hinder the Dutchman.

"The thing is, for me, the Red Bull in the low-downforce trim is really good. We expected them to be really strong in Baku. I think we said it as much before the race weekend, and Monza likewise," the former Renault driver continued to say.

"I'm not so convinced that Max is going to take pole in Singapore. If he does it, then I think he'll be in some contention, maybe. But he's going to need some disaster for McLaren still. I just don't even see, even for Max, I think this is too far. I think he's just going to be swinging away and take some race wins, and you never know."

Verstappen title talk divides the paddock

The return to form for Verstappen after his Baku victory resulted in many questions being asked about whether the Dutchman is back in the title discussion.

After their disappointing performance in Azerbaijan, McLaren were adamant about Verstappen's return, with team boss Andrea Stella doubling down on previous comments on the situation, while Lando Norris stated that "people need to stop being so surprised that Red Bull is quick".

However, two-time world champion Fernando Alonso believes that the drivers' title "depends on McLaren, not so much on Max's performance."

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