Expert: Verstappen Recognizes Piastri as a Formidable Rival in Title Battle

Former Formula 1 driver and current expert **Christian Danner** believes that the main rival in the championship battle for **Max Verstappen** is **McLaren** driver **[Oscar Piastri](URL)**.

«The way Piastri set up his move on Verstappen was cinematic. Max has long recognized that Piastri is a more formidable competitor. He doesn’t take Norris seriously and continues to attack him, even if it takes some time. The carefree days for Norris are now behind him. The constant smiling and joking with Carlos Sainz at the start of his F1 career was the norm. Now, things are much more serious.

Piastri possesses the necessary skills and applies them ruthlessly in wheel-to-wheel battles. Norris definitely needs to keep progressing. However, I’m not one of those who dismisses Norris and claims he lacks the essential qualities. Of course, when he makes a mistake, I feel justified in saying that with those errors, he won’t become a world champion. That’s my stance. But Norris is still incredibly fast, and he continues to learn. Comparing today’s Norris to how he drove a year ago, I must say he has learned a lot,» Danner’s comments are quoted by RacingNews365.