Steiner Predicts Verstappen to Overtake Piastri for Second Place
Guenther Steiner, former Haas team principal, is convinced that Max Verstappen will overtake Oscar Piastri for second place in the F1 championship. Citing Verstappen's incredible drive and comeback in Brazil, Steiner highlights the champion's motivation and vision, suggesting Piastri may struggle to maintain his position against such a formidable opponent in the remaining races.
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes Max Verstappen is poised to snatch the runner-up spot in the championship from Oscar Piastri. Following a series of strong performances, especially Verstappen's remarkable comeback in Brazil, Steiner sees the four-time world champion as highly motivated and more likely to secure second place.
Why it matters:
Max Verstappen's potential ascent to second in the championship, despite not winning the title, underscores his unparalleled dominance and relentless drive. It also highlights the intense competition for every position, even when the championship is decided, showcasing the mental and physical toll on drivers like Piastri in maintaining their form against a resurgent champion.
The Details:
- Steiner's Stance: Guenther Steiner, speaking on the Red Flags podcast, stated, "If you say that Oscar is now destroyed mentally, Max will be ahead of him, absolutely." He pointed to Verstappen's strong form over the last four races, including his comeback in Brazil, as evidence.
- Motivation as a Factor: Steiner emphasized Verstappen's exceptional motivation, noting that he "didn't give up after a crappy qualifying" in Interlagos. Instead, Verstappen used it as fuel to achieve a podium finish, with an apparent assist from Yuki Tsunoda.
- McLaren Chief's View: Tony Kanaan, McLaren's IndyCar team boss, attributes Verstappen's F1 success to more than just talent or luck, calling it a product of "vision." He views Verstappen as being ahead of his rivals, comparing his influence at Red Bull to that of past F1 legends.
- Championship Standings Context: While Verstappen is still in contention for second, Piastri's recent win in Brazil, coupled with Verstappen's third-place finish, has momentarily pushed Piastri further down in the standings. However, Steiner's comments suggest this could be temporary.
Between the lines:
Steiner's comments, while seemingly favoring Verstappen, also hint at the immense pressure on young drivers like Piastri. Consistently battling at the front against a driver of Verstappen's caliber requires not only raw talent but also an iron will. The "mentally destroyed" remark, though harsh, speaks to the psychological intensity of F1's top tier.
What's next:
With three races remaining, the battle for championship runner-up promises to be an engaging subplot. Verstappen's track record of overcoming adversity, combined with Steiner's conviction, suggests he will push hard to close the gap. Piastri, on the other hand, will need to leverage his recent momentum and maintain strong mental fortitude to fend off the relentless pressure from the reigning champion.