Legendary pundit casts DOUBT over Verstappen title prospects

Max Verstappen's chances of claiming a fourth consecutive world championship title may not be a foregone conclusion, according to legendary Sky Sports F1 presenter Ted Kravitz.

Verstappen heads into this weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix with a 62-point gap to nearest challenger Lando Norris in the drivers' championship standings, and can wrap up the title if he finishes ahead of the Brit.

F1 HEADLINES: Team-mates collide as Hamilton BLAME emerges at Las Vegas Grand Prix

READ MORE: FIA announce F1 champion penalty verdict after Las Vegas Grand Prix incident

However, Red Bull's car problems have been evident since the summer break, and Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes all looked stronger in the early stages of the Vegas weekend.

Verstappen's stunning drive at the Brazilian GP last time out put him in the position where he has one hand on the title, but his brilliance may not be enough to make up for the issues with the RB20 at the remaining races.

Following the qualifying session for this year's show-stopping event in Vegas, Verstappen does have the upper hand against Norris' papaya machinery, the Red Bull starting the grand prix from fifth, lining up on the grid one place ahead of the McLaren.

READ MORE: Red Bull announce 2025 signing on MULTI-YEAR contract

Will Verstappen win the title in Vegas?

Now, Kravitz has suggested that the Dutchman would not be too disappointed if the championship went down to the last two race weekends, with McLaren and Ferrari clearly having a performance advantage over Red Bull.

Both McLaren and Ferrari sit ahead of the reigning champions in the constructors' championship standings, and Red Bull are unlikely to be able to secure a championship double as they did in 2022 and 2023.

"I don't think he's favourite to get the job done here, I think Ferrari are favourite to win, potentially be second as well, Lando Norris and McLaren aren't going to give up as well," Kravitz told Sky Sports.

"Even though Max Verstappen said the wobble is over in terms of the competitiveness of his RB20 or otherwise that started the season so well, but had a really difficult patch in the middle of the year, it's now back to somewhere towards its best, I don't think Verstappen will worry at all if the championship continues to next weekend in Qatar.

"So he's not favourite, but it absolutely could happen, it could be championship weekend."

F1 provides nail-biting entertainment from 24 insane destinations, to catch all the live action, exclusively with Sky Sports, click here.

F1 RESULTS: Red Bull disaster as HUGE crash brings out red flag

Related

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 Race Today: Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024 start time, TV channel and live stream

• 1 hour ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix starting grid with penalties applied

• 3 hours ago