Gijs van Lennep is unequivocal: Max Verstappen will clinch his fifth world title this year. The former Formula 1 driver sees progress at Red Bull and with Verstappen’s ‘specialty’ on the horizon, he believes the championship deficit is no obstacle. “He is simply the best.”
For four-time world champion Max Verstappen, a fifth title seems out of reach for now. He trails World Championship leader Oscar Piastri by 43 points and is 21 points behind second-placed Lando Norris. Yet, former Formula 1 driver Gijs van Lennep is convinced that Verstappen will ultimately secure his fifth world title, thereby equalling Michael Schumacher’s record of five consecutive championships.
The Austrian Grand Prix is scheduled for this coming Sunday, the eleventh race of the season. Van Lennep is hopeful for a turnaround. “And I hope it will go a bit better there again. It seems to be improving and they are certainly not fools at Red Bull, but it needs to be a bit better,” Van Lennep tells RacingNews365. “Now, the Red Bull Ring is a circuit with many long turns, which is Verstappen’s specialty. Let’s hope he wins again. Of course, he won quite recently (at Imola), but he still has some points to catch up.”
World Champion
Van Lennep acknowledges that the situation has changed significantly compared to two years ago when Verstappen was dominating his way to his third title. However, according to the two-time Le Mans winner, this is not a problem. “That’s not a problem at all, as long as he is far enough ahead at the end of the year,” says Van Lennep. When asked if it is realistic that Verstappen will still become champion, there is no trace of doubt in his voice. “Yes, definitely, Max Verstappen will be world champion, absolutely. He is simply the best. And of course, if you’re unlucky, you’re unlucky. But if he’s leading in clean air, the rest behind can figure it out, it will go just fine.”
