Two-time world champion impressed with Verstappen: 'Well deserved'

F1 News

28 September 2022 at 14:51
Last update 28 September 2022 at 22:49
  • GPblog.com

Emerson Fittipaldi is impressed with Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing. The Brazilian had expected Ferrari to win the championship this season, but according to the former Formula 1 driver, Verstappen deserves the world title after his strong performance.

Verstappen can mathematically win the world title this coming weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix. However, the Dutchman does need to finish first and is dependent on the results of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez. Fittipaldi thinks it is certainly possible for Verstappen to win his second world title already at the street circuit.

"It is difficult to predict. But he has the form and mathematical chance. He is the favorite again. To clinch the championship this weekend would be great. Well deserved for him. The whole year he's been driving hard, driving extremely well", Fittipaldi says in conversation with Vegas insider.

Red Bull and Verstappen impress

The two-time world champion praises Red Bull for its work, commitment and talent. According to Fittipaldi, the team owes its fairly easy title advance to its strategy. "Red Bull have had a great racing strategy. Verstappen has driven really well."

Fittipaldi admits he predicted Ferrari would win the championship this year. "I was 90 percent sure that Ferrari were going to win because they showed so much more potential to win the championship." However, the team's reliability and mistakes have meant that they now have a huge gap in the championship.