P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Former McLaren driver claims Verstappen would have won F1 title MONTHS ago for Papaya team
Former McLaren star Alex Palou believes that Max Verstappen would have secured the championship months ago if he had been driving a McLaren F1 car. Despite Verstappen’s uphill battle at the upcoming Abu Dhabi title showdown, where he trails leader Lando Norris by 12 points, he has shown remarkable performance with seven race wins this season for Red Bull. Palou, a four-time IndyCar champion who drove for McLaren until 2023, expressed confidence in Verstappen’s potential to outshine Norris and Piastri had he been with McLaren this year.
As the F1 title race intensifies, Norris holds the points advantage as the favorite, but Piastri’s strong performance at the Qatar GP offers hope of a late resurgence. Verstappen, a four-time champion, enters the title decider with back-to-back wins, boosting his confidence against the odds. The Abu Dhabi finale presents an intriguing scenario with multiple contenders still in the running, reminiscent of the uncertainty that characterized the 2010 season.
The highly anticipated showdown on Sunday marks a significant moment in F1 history, where the championship outcome remains uncertain heading into the final race. With new developments like Aston Martin’s signing and Horner’s strategic plans unfolding, the stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the season.
