Formula 1: Haug’s forecast: Reflow chase “absolutely realistic”

Former Mercedes Motor sports director Norbert Haug still trusts Max Verstappen in the World Cup fight. “In fact, I think these are absolutely realistic,” said the 72-year-old of the German Press Agency. Before the Grand Prix of Azerbaijan on Sunday at the city course in Baku, Verstappen has 94 points behind the World Cup leader Oscar Piatri, 63 on his McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

“In the remaining eight main races alone, there are still 200 points to be awarded, plus points at sprint races. Anyone who has experienced Derstappen’s superior victory in Monza and has the necessary perspective knows that this was not a route -specific mayfly,” emphasized Haug.

Verstappen had recently won the Italy Grand Prix. It was his first Formula 1 victory after eight races and his third this season. Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Helmut Marko had spoken of a “rebirth”.

Red Bull’s motorsport consultant Marko: Everything is possible

The Austrian said the specialist portal “Motorsport.com” before the race in Azerbaijan: “As far as Baku and the fast routes are concerned.

Even if the opportunities of the four-time world champion Verstappen are currently low, it remains to be seen how the duel between the two McLaren pilots, who have so far followed the instructions of the team and deal with each other with respect and fairness. The bosses insist on the so-called papaya rules, derived from the color painting of the car. The decision should be made between the two drivers on the track and not from the outside, i.e. from the command stand. There is no number one.

Users of a McLaren-duells have already existed

“Of course everyone says, the two McLaren Mercedes drivers steal each other’s points,” said Haug. “For me, this competition without a stable order is the only right way to do fair motorsport. If the World Cup title is gone, it is the case. I speak here from painful experience.”

In 2007, when Haug was Mercedes Motor sports director, the two McLaren-Mercedes pilots Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton fought a completely poisoned and escalated team duel. At that time, the beneficiary was Kimi Raikkonen, who won the title in a dramatic final in Ferrari.