Not Lewis Hamilton: Will Buxton on What Only Could Stop Max Verstappen from Winning 2021 F1 Title

We’re headed to the endgame of the season as the next five races are going to go by in a blur. A triple-header and then two races to the end, anything is possible. With no sure winner yet, it’s the perfect time to place your bet on who will take the crown home. Will Buxton places a sure bet on Max Verstappen and gives a very compelling explanation why.

Eight of Formula 1’s beloved pundits placed their votes on who their champion will be; six were on team Verstappen while two rooted for Hamilton’s historic eighth. Will Buton, who stands on the Red Bull driver’s side, explained his stance. “I’ve felt since pre-season that this would be Red Bull’s year, and with five races to go I’m not going to change that prediction now.”

However, Buxton believes that there may be one thing that will get in Verstappen’s way. “There’s nothing I’ve seen that leads me to believe the title will be going anywhere other than into Max Verstappen’s hands. He’s been sensational this year, to the extent that reliability now seems the only means by which he could lose a crown which is his by rights.”

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It’s been an uncertain season, dotted with many unfortunate DNFs for Verstappen. Yet, the driver has managed to stay ahead. Hopefully, the following five rounds will be kind to the Dutchman.

Max Verstappen is the championship favorite

Despite the two in eight ratios of the F1 journalists, the website had also put in a voting bank at the end of its article. Turns out, a vast majority hope the Lion outdo the Knight. Of 14,600 votes, presently, a whopping 77% voted Orange.

Verstappen has put up an incredible fight against his opponent this season. He’s made it hard to ignore him. Delivering every race, time and again, Verstappen has a fair shot at taking his first title home. However, Buxton’s worries about reliability are still on the cards.

Although the money is on Verstappen, will Red Bull renew its place as a double champion? Buxton believes it’s plausible. “It is Mercedes that have the major worries going into these final races, and as Perez finds form it is the mechanical question marks which might stop the three-pointed star from taking constructors’ glory.”

According to the Brit, the championship is only a DNF away from being decided. “All it takes is one retirement for the balance to swing once again.” But regardless of the outcome, this season will be one for the books.

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