Max 💫Verstappen’s top challenger in the 2024 F1 season could be Lando Norris.

Ralf Schumacher believes the impressive McLaren driver could take a further step ෴forward and establish himself as the top contender to the championship reign of Verstappen.

Schumacher also considered whether Lewis H൲amilton or George Russell could emerge in the title picture.

“It all depends on the car,” he tol🔯d the  podca𒉰st.

“Mercedes? If they are finally back. They still have to prove because yo🐟🐠u know how difficult it is.

“ꦬThey looked very up and down on 🍸performance [last year]. So let’s cross fingers that they do.”

But Schumacher insists Verstappen’s nearest competitor couldಌ come from the team who took a massive step forwards midway th♕rough last season.

“McLaren? Could be possible,” he said.

“I am a big fan of Oscar Piastri. Theও only thing is, he still seems to be a bit weak in the racing speed.

“I think he is amazing in his qualifying performance. He never makeꦑs a mistake and he’s always there,🌠 so that’s great.

“Lando is an amazing racer but mayb🐈e he sometimes wants too much in qualifying.

“Hওe could b✃e the one to challenge Max if the car is…”

Norris secured seven F1 grand🥃 prix podium finishes༺ last season.

Each of them was claimed from Silverstone onwards, as McLaren benefitted hugely from a mid-season upgrade which, at some stages, t🔯ook them closer to Red Bull than the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari or Aston Martin.

McLaren have tied down their hugely promising driver Norris to🐻 a new contract.

Norris pocketed $15m in 2023, report.

But with his new deal, he is expected to shoot higher up the list of 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:F1 driver salaries.

His bumper new deal should🧸 also fend off 📖potential interest from Red Bull.