Lando Norris vs Max Verstappen, intriguing storylines and a new winner – Our writers share their predictions for the final six races of the season

The 2024 F1 season has confirmed to be an exciting one thus far, and it stays all to play for because the marketing campaign heads into its closing phases. As the game takes a quick pause earlier than the motion resumes, our writers Lawrence Barretto, Alex Jacques, David Tremayne and Mike Seymour have shared their predictions for what may occur within the closing six races of the season, starting from who will win in each championships via to the important thing storylines to look out for…

Can Lando Norris beat Max Verstappen within the drivers’ championship – if not, why not?

Lawrence Barretto (F1 Correspondent & Presenter): Completely he can. It’s not going to be simple – and it’ll require one of many best comebacks in Formulation 1’s historical past, however Norris has proven on a number of events this yr that he’s received what it takes to be the perfect. I feel he can try this constantly within the final six races (and three Sprints) and proceed his run of ending forward of Verstappen (he’s accomplished it 4 occasions in a row and counting). His reward would be the title.

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Alex Jacques (F1 TV Commentator): Lando Norris can win however in fact many issues depend towards him. He’s up towards the most effective to ever compete in Max Verstappen, and in too many races massive alternatives for level swings have come and gone. In Monza particularly, McLaren and Norris badly let Crimson Bull off the hook on a day which may have seen a possible 20-point swing as an alternative of the 9 really achieved. The explanation it stays attainable is F1’s longest ever season. Six Grands Prix and three Sprints nonetheless stay. Norris has been a contender for victory at each race since Could and will simply rattle off a number of wins to heap the stress on Crimson Bull. The opposite essential aspect within the title race is Oscar Piastri. Norris has received by 20-second margins in two of the final 4 races and on each events Oscar has not been in a position to be the automobile behind him. A McLaren one-two in Austin would fear Crimson Bull as a result of an everyday swing of 10 factors per race would change the title image shortly.

David Tremayne (Corridor of Fame F1 Journalist): Sure, if the luck runs with him and never a lot with Max. Six Grands Prix left, plus three Sprints… That’s respective maxima of 156 and 24, so a complete of 180 factors nonetheless on the desk. And Max’s lead is right down to 52… So sure, he can win it. Crimson Bull regarded to have accomplished one thing fairly helpful to the RB20 in qualifying in Singapore, when it regarded like its outdated self (in a line-up admittedly skewed by Ferrari’s disappointing Saturday). However within the race it received pulped by Lando’s McLaren (who didn’t?!). I’d anticipate Max to be a serious risk in quali, however within the races for McLaren to have the higher hand. So, sure, I feel Lando can do it. However don’t write off threats from Ferrari and, presumably Mercedes, which may put a restrict on the factors obtainable to the vehicles from Woking. It’s going to want six excellent weekends from Lando. And if he can pull that off, he’d be the worthy world champion he so needs to be.

Mike Seymour (Workers Author): To start with, it’s good that such a query is being posed with simply six rounds to run. After Verstappen and Crimson Bull’s dominance in 2022 and 2023, and the specter of them doing the identical early in 2024, the fluid, multi-team battle we’ve now received is so refreshing. Can Norris beat Verstappen to the title? After all. Will he? That’s what we’re all eagerly awaiting the reply to. With the Dutchman nonetheless 52 factors clear regardless of not profitable since Spain amid the RB20’s relative struggles, it might take some swing – and a complete load of drama – from right here to Abu Dhabi. Stranger issues have occurred in F1, although. It’s additionally price noting that 180 factors stay up for grabs, with three extra Sprints on the best way in Austin, Sao Paolo and Lusail. My head says Verstappen will win it, however Norris has given himself an opportunity, and it’s removed from over.