Andretti praises 'extraordinary' Verstappen and targets FIA stewards

13 November at 13:00

Ludo van Denderen

The 2024 Formula 1 World Champion can be decided in Las Vegas. If Max Verstappen is at least 60 points ahead of Lando Norris after the race in the United States, the Red Bull Racing driver can call himself the champion for the fourth time in a row. Mario Andretti believes the Dutchman deserves it.

The former world champion (1978) states that the current season is "one of the most beautiful and unpredictable" in recent years. According to the American, one man stood out: "Max has once again shown he has an extraordinary racing talent," Andretti said in a conversation with Gazzetta dello Sport. "But there are more events that have made it an open championship, and that gives hope for the future."

"I saw a Verstappen who was a bit 'angry' about the dynamics of the season and the situation at Red Bull. His position is very different from last year and also early 2024, so he suddenly had to get performance out of the car that is not in it."

Andretti understands Verstappen's 'mistakes'

Andretti can completely understand that Verstappen sometimes crossed the line in this. "When you no longer have a dominant car and you have to fight harder than what is actually realistic, mistakes can happen. Sometimes it is right to impose a penalty for that and sometimes not. But you have to have clear rules and not keep changing the rules of the game," Andretti said, making a small dig at the stewards in the last few races.

This article has been created in collaboration with Matt Gretton