World title chances for Verstappen: 'It is Max who makes the difference'

Max Verstappen is doing very well this season, but for now he is still eight points behind Lewis Hamilton in the world championship. Nevertheless, Tom Coronel remains confident in the Dutchman's chances of winning the world title.

The Red Bull Racing driver made a very strong impression this season above all at the Grands Prix of Austria and France. At Silverstone, however, he collided with Hamilton, forcing him to abandon the race. Two weeks later, it was Valtteri Bottas who ensured Verstappen had a difficult day in Hungary.

Coronel sees a very mature Verstappen in the car, although he thinks the driver was ready for the battle with Hamilton sooner. "The man could have really done it, but the car has to be able to do it as well," he commented in a conversation with Motorsport.com. "Now you see that the competition with the car is just there. Actually I think the Mercedes has the faster car, so it is Max who makes the difference. Just look at Pérez: he's still not getting there."

The question remains: is Red Bull or Verstappen that good this season? The answer is twofold according to Coronel. "It's a combination. You can see that Max feels and smells championship opportunities. Then you see that he really makes that step. How he drives, how smart he is and the calm he has. He's ready for it and it should be able to work."