Ocon Sees Dangerous Verstappen As Top Championship Contender

Max Verstappen, the formidable Red Bull driver, stands poised to seize any opportunity that arises in his pursuit of the Formula 1 drivers’ championship this year, provided his car maintains competitive pace, according to Esteban Ocon.

Following his impressive victories in Monza and Baku, the reigning four-time Formula 1 world champion has significantly narrowed the gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri. Verstappen’s deficit has been cut from a daunting 104 points to a more manageable 69 points, with a thrilling seven rounds still remaining in the season. This late-season surge has ignited hopes among his fans and sent a clear message to his rivals that he is far from out of contention.

Max Verstappen’s Resurgent Title Bid: Analyzing the 2024 F1 Championship Battle

The 2024 Formula 1 season has proven to be a captivating spectacle, with the championship narrative taking an unexpected turn in recent races. While Oscar Piastri and McLaren initially established a dominant lead, Max Verstappen and Red Bull have demonstrated their characteristic resilience and exceptional performance, particularly on circuits that play to their strengths. The Dutch driver’s ability to consistently extract the maximum from his machinery, coupled with strategic upgrades from his team, has allowed him to claw back a substantial number of points, transforming what once seemed like an insurmountable lead into a genuinely contested battle for the coveted drivers’ title.

The Unstoppable Momentum of a Champion

Verstappen’s recent triumphs at Monza and Baku were not merely isolated incidents but rather critical demonstrations of his and Red Bull’s enduring prowess. These high-speed, low-downforce circuits historically favor cars with excellent straight-line speed and efficient aerodynamic packages, areas where the Red Bull RB20 has proven to excel. The substantial points haul from these two victories has injected new life into Verstappen’s championship campaign, showcasing his unwavering determination and the team’s relentless pursuit of perfection. With 69 points still separating him from McLaren’s Piastri, and a full seven races left on the calendar, the prospect of a dramatic comeback is very much alive. Each remaining Grand Prix offers a potential swing in momentum, and Verstappen, known for his aggressive yet calculated driving style, will undoubtedly be looking to maximize every single opportunity presented to him.

Esteban Ocon’s View: The “Dangerous” Contender

Esteban Ocon, a driver with intimate knowledge of Verstappen’s competitive spirit from their intense Formula 3 championship battle in 2014, offered a compelling assessment of the Red Bull star’s title prospects. Ocon explicitly stated, “We all know Max and how dangerous he is when there’s something to grab.” This insight underscores Verstappen’s reputation for being a formidable opponent, especially when a championship is within reach. Ocon’s comment highlights the prevailing sentiment within the paddock: Verstappen, once he senses an opening, becomes an almost unstoppable force. The crucial caveat, as Ocon pointed out, is the competitiveness of his car. If Red Bull can consistently provide him with a machine capable of challenging for wins and podiums in the upcoming races, Ocon believes there’s a “good chance” Verstappen can indeed close the gap and potentially snatch the championship from Piastri. This relies heavily on Red Bull’s ability to adapt their car to various circuit characteristics and continue their development push against McLaren.

The McLaren Camp: Cautious Optimism Amidst the Challenge

The championship leader’s own teammate, Lando Norris, who currently holds a 44-point advantage over Verstappen, offered a characteristically understated yet telling perspective on his rival’s chances. When asked about Verstappen’s title hopes, Norris simply remarked that they were “more than zero.” While seemingly minimalist, this comment from a direct competitor speaks volumes. It acknowledges the threat Verstappen poses without overstating it, reflecting a blend of caution and inherent respect for the Dutchman’s capabilities. It also subtly suggests that while McLaren remains confident, they are acutely aware of the formidable challenge ahead. Norris understands that even a small probability, when coupled with Verstappen’s talent, cannot be discounted. Adding another layer of insight, Verstappen’s former teammate, Alexander Albon, pointed out a crucial variable: “if you have one crash between Lando and Oscar then it’s all game on.” Albon’s comment highlights the inherent risks of intra-team battles, suggesting that any significant incident or misstep between the two McLaren drivers could hand a crucial advantage to Verstappen. Such scenarios, though undesirable, are an unfortunate reality of high-stakes championship racing, where every point and every position counts. McLaren’s management of its drivers and their battle will be as critical as the car’s performance in the remaining races.

Charles Leclerc’s Measured Skepticism: Analyzing Track Dynamics and Car Strengths

However, not all within the Formula 1 paddock share the same level of optimism regarding Verstappen’s championship prospects. Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver who finished as runner-up to Verstappen in 2022, presented a more skeptical viewpoint, assigning only a 20% chance for Verstappen to clinch the title this year. Leclerc’s assessment is rooted in a detailed analysis of the current championship standings and the performance characteristics of both the Red Bull and McLaren cars, particularly in relation to the remaining circuits on the calendar. “I think the gap is substantial,” the Ferrari driver explained, emphasizing that despite Verstappen’s recent successes, the points deficit remains considerable. He meticulously highlighted that Verstappen’s two recent victories came at circuits with very specific characteristics—Monza and Baku—which are known for being low-downforce tracks. Leclerc elaborated, “[where] I feel the Red Bull was very, very strong.” This observation suggests that Red Bull’s recent performance surge might be somewhat track-specific, rather than an overall superiority across all circuit types.

Red Bull’s Strategic Upgrades and Circuit Suitability

Leclerc acknowledged the significant upgrade package that Red Bull introduced at Monza, noting that it “seems to be working very much.” This upgrade undoubtedly contributed to their dominant performances on the high-speed tracks. However, his skepticism arises from questioning the general applicability of these improvements. “But whether it will work on high-downforce tracks, I don’t think [it will be] enough to beat the McLaren,” he contended. This implies that while Red Bull may have optimized their package for specific conditions, McLaren might still hold an inherent advantage on circuits demanding maximum aerodynamic grip. The upcoming races will feature a mix of track layouts, including high-downforce, medium-downforce, and potentially even street circuits, each presenting a unique challenge for car setup and performance. The ability of Red Bull to adapt their car and make their upgrades effective across this diverse range of tracks will be a crucial determinant of Verstappen’s chances.

McLaren’s Consistent Performance and Future Prospects

Conversely, Leclerc anticipates a resurgence in McLaren’s form on the more conventional, high-downforce circuits. “I expect the McLaren to come back at the pace we’ve seen for most of the season here and some other future tracks,” he stated. This outlook suggests that McLaren’s car, which has demonstrated consistent strength throughout the majority of the season, is better suited to the average demands of the F1 calendar. If McLaren can indeed return to their peak performance on these tracks, they will be extremely difficult to beat. Leclerc’s analysis points to a potential ebb and flow in performance between the two leading teams, with track characteristics playing a pivotal role in determining who has the upper hand in each race. For Verstappen to overcome this, he will need not only impeccable driving but also a Red Bull package that can truly challenge McLaren regardless of the circuit’s demands.

Beyond the Drivers: The Critical Factors Shaping the Championship

While driver skill and car performance are paramount, the championship battle is rarely decided by these factors alone. Several other elements could significantly influence the final outcome. Team strategy will be crucial; pit stop timings, tire choices, and in-race tactical decisions can mean the difference between victory and defeat. The pressure on both Red Bull and McLaren, as well as their respective drivers, will intensify with each passing race, potentially leading to errors or moments of brilliance. Reliability is another silent but deadly contender; a single mechanical failure or DNF for either Piastri or Verstappen could dramatically alter the points standings. Furthermore, the performance of other teams, such as Ferrari and Mercedes, could inadvertently impact the championship. If these teams manage to take points away from either McLaren or Red Bull, it could further tighten or open up the title fight. Unpredictable weather conditions, often a feature of late-season races, also have the potential to introduce an element of lottery, creating chaotic races where fortunes can swing wildly. All these variables combine to ensure that the remaining rounds will be a test of nerve, engineering, and sheer racing prowess.

Conclusion: A Thrilling Climax Awaits

The 2024 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship is shaping up to be one of the most enthralling in recent memory. While Oscar Piastri holds a significant lead, the resurgence of Max Verstappen, fueled by his recent victories and the potent Red Bull package, has injected immense excitement into the title race. Opinions are divided within the paddock, with seasoned drivers like Esteban Ocon highlighting Verstappen’s dangerous capability when a championship is in sight, while others like Charles Leclerc offer a more cautious perspective, emphasizing the varying strengths of the Red Bull and McLaren cars across different circuit types. The remaining seven races promise a fierce contest, where every point will be hard-fought and every decision scrutinized. With the championship still very much open, fans can anticipate a thrilling climax to what has already been an unforgettable season of Formula 1 racing, as Verstappen relentlessly pursues his fifth world title against a determined Piastri and a formidable McLaren team.

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

2025 Singapore Grand Prix

• What are McLaren’s “repercussions” for Norris and why did they wait to apply them?
• Hamilton “had no choice” about cutting corners when brakes failed in Singapore
• Norris reveals he faces ‘repercussions to the end of the season’ over Piastri clash
• Russell denies Verstappen a ‘full set’ of wins, Hamilton breaks Schumacher record
• ‘Good shout on staying out’: Did Verstappen consider a second pit stop in Singapore?

Browse all 2025 Singapore Grand Prix articles