The 2024 F1 season has proven to be a thrilling one so far, and it remains all to play for as the campaign heads into its closing stages. As the sport takes a brief pause before the action resumes, our writers Lawrence Barretto, Alex Jacques, David Tremayne and Mike Seymour have shared their predictions for what could happen in the final six races of the season, ranging from who will win in both championships through to the key storylines to look out for…
Can Lando Norris beat Max Verstappen in the drivers’ championship – if not, why not?
Lawrence Barretto (F1 Correspondent & Presenter): Absolutely he can. It’s not going to be easy – and it’ll require one of the greatest comebacks in Formula 1’s history, but Norris has shown on several occasions this year that he’s got what it takes to be the very best. I think he can do that consistently in the last six races (and three Sprints) and continue his run of finishing ahead of Verstappen (he’s done it four times in a row and counting). His reward will be the title.
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Alex Jacques (F1 TV Commentator): Lando Norris can win but in truth many things count against him. He is up against one of the best to ever compete in Max Verstappen, and in too many races big opportunities for point swings have come and gone. In Monza especially, McLaren and Norris badly let Red Bull off the hook on a day which could have seen a potential 20-point swing instead of the nine actually achieved. The reason it remains possible is F1’s longest ever season. Six Grands Prix and three Sprints still remain. Norris has been a contender for victory at every race since May and could easily rattle off multiple wins to heap the pressure on Red Bull. The other crucial element in the title race is Oscar Piastri. Norris has won by 20-second margins in two of the last four races and on both occasions Oscar has not been able to be the car behind him. A McLaren one-two in Austin would worry Red Bull because a regular swing of 10 points per race would change the title picture quickly.
David Tremayne (Hall of Fame F1 Journalist): Yes, if the luck runs with him and not so much with Max. Six Grands Prix left, plus three Sprints… That’s respective maxima of 156 and 24, so a total of 180 points still on the table. And Max’s lead is down to 52… So yes, he can win it. Red Bull looked to have done something pretty useful to the RB20 in qualifying in Singapore, when it looked like its old self (in a line-up admittedly skewed by Ferrari’s disappointing Saturday). But in the race it got pulped by Lando’s McLaren (who didn’t?!). I’d expect Max to be a major threat in quali, but in the races for McLaren to have the upper hand. So, yes, I think Lando can do it. But don’t write off threats from Ferrari and, possibly Mercedes, which could put a limit on the points available to the cars from Woking. It’s going to need six perfect weekends from Lando. And if he can pull that off, he’d be the worthy world champion he so wants to be.
Mike Seymour (Staff Writer): First of all, it’s brilliant that such a question is being posed with just six rounds to run. After Verstappen and Red Bull’s dominance in 2022 and 2023, and the threat of them doing the same early in 2024, the fluid, multi-team fight we’ve now got is so refreshing. Can Norris beat Verstappen to the title? Of course. Will he? That’s what we’re all eagerly awaiting the answer to. With the Dutchman still 52 points clear despite not winning since Spain amid the RB20’s relative struggles, it would take some swing – and a whole load of drama – from here to Abu Dhabi. Stranger things have happened in F1, though. It’s also worth noting that 180 points remain up for grabs, with three more Sprints on the way in Austin, Sao Paolo and Lusail. My head says Verstappen will win it, but Norris has given himself a chance, and it’s far from over.
