Stewart sees advantage for Mercedes: 'That gives them the best chance'

Three-time Formula 1 champion Sir Jackie Stewart believes the title battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton is likely to be decided by reliability issues. The rivals are very evenly matched and will go into the final stages of the championship with a small points difference.

"I think both drivers can still win it, but given the experience of both the team and the driver, Mercedes probably has the best chance," Stewart said in conversation with Motorsport-Magazin.com.

The Mercedes package normally stands like a house, but lately it seems to be faltering at the German racing stable. The team's usually so reliable power unit seems to be struggling with reliability issues. "It's ultimately about who has the fewest mechanical failures, because they both drive superbly," concludes the 82-year-old Scot.

Verstappen enters the final phase of the championship with a twelve-point lead. For the next two races in Mexico and Brazil, the Dutchman is the big favourite, but especially in the last three races in the Middle East anything can still happen.