Verstappen believes he has a '50-50' chance of winning the 2024 title

There are 180 possible points left to earn this season. If the Brit wants to clinch his first driver's championship, he will have to score an average of nine points per race weekend over Verstappen. Before the sprint race in Austin, the gap still remains at 52 points, meaning that the 24-year-old has his work cut out for him. Last time out at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore, Norris took a commanding 20-second victory over second-placed Verstappen despite a few mistakes. 

Verstappen: "There's a lot that can go well or wrong"

The Dutchman, however, isn't thinking too much about recent form. In his typical, 'cool' manner, Verstappen remained calm in the paddock ahead of the United States Grand Prix. "It's 50-50. I mean, I don't know. There's a lot that can go well or can go wrong in those six races, plus sprint races as well. So, nothing is guaranteed from both sides. We'll see. I prefer not really to think ahead too much and really live from weekend to weekend," Verstappen said.

Verstappen: Thinking about the title is a 'waste of energy'

So, Verstappen prefers not to think too much about the long term. He has a sprint race weekend to focus on, after all. This, according to the three-time world champion, is important: "It's just because you say you win it or not, which is 50-50, so that's why. I don't really like to think about it too much. Like I said, I just live from race weekend to race weekend because otherwise you're just putting unnecessary thoughts in your head, which also costs energy, which I don't want to waste. I'm thinking too much about racing," explained the Dutchman.

Is a third man in the mix?

On paper, Charles Leclerc can also still win the drivers' championship. The Monegasque is 86 points behind Verstappen. Is the Ferrari driver still part of the title fight? "No, not really," The Dutchman answered. Leclerc won memorably in Monaco and Monza this season, but it would take an awful lot to outscore both Verstappen and Norris sufficiently over the last six races.

Max Verstappen will lead the field away for the Sprint race later today in Austin. After a tougher session for Norris, he'll start from fourth. So, advantage Verstappen for the first act of racing this weekend. Every point counts, and Norris will be looking to somehow close that gap today. Can he do it? We'll find out later on.

This article was written in collaboration with Jarlo van der Vloed

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