Jenson Button has backed Lando Norris to beat Max Verstappen to this year’s Formula 1 world championship title. Verstappen holds a 52-point advantage over Norris with six grands prix and three sprint races remaining this season, with the paddock heading to Austin for this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver claimed victory in seven of the opening 10 Grands Prix to stamp his authority in the championship. He has however gone eight races without a win stretching back to June’s Spanish Grand Prix, with McLaren taking four wins in that time, Norris with two and another two for his teammate Oscar Piastri.
Norris has outscored Verstappen in all but one of the other races during this time frame, leading Button to support his British compatriot in the chase for the championship title.
“Yeah, I think he [Norris] can [win the title],” the 2009 world champion told the Sky Sports F1 podcast.
“I’ve been on the Max side of it where the car isn’t performing as it was earlier in the season and you’re having someone chase you down. It’s tough.
“Max is a tough cookie. I don’t think the pressure gets to him like most drivers but this is a tricky situation. He’s already got it into his head that he’s not going to win another race this year.
“He’s in a position where he’s just got to come home, bring points. But sometimes when you’ve put that pressure on yourself, it’s even harder to get a podium.”
Button is also of the view that Verstappen’s quest to defend his title will be difficult as the likes of Ferrari and Mercedes will be in the mix for race victories.
“It’s not just McLaren that are faster with Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri has had some great results… Mercedes and Ferrari are all there,” he added.
“If they all get a weekend together and the Red Bull isn’t singing as it was earlier in the year, that’s a lot of points lost in one race. It’s still up in the air. Max is in a good position, but it’s a high-pressure position he’s in, and I think that’s exciting.
“F1 as a whole is in such a good place right now, we have so many teams fighting for victories. I didn’t expect it this year, I really didn’t, but I’m pleased; it’s great to see four teams fighting for wins.”
Button raced in F1 between 2000 and 2017, driving for Williams, Benetton, Renault, BAR, Honda, Brawn, whom he won the championship with in 2009, and McLaren.
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