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Verstappen: "Points swing can be bigger" as Ferrari impact the title race
Ferrari briefly experienced a dip mid-season when the Italian formation missed the mark with a new floor, but the SF-24 is arguably the most stable car in the field at the moment. As a result, Ferrari is suddenly playing a role in the world championships as well. First of all, they have the constructors' title back in sight, but the team from Maranello is also influencing the battle between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris. How does Verstappen view that?
Max Verstappen has said "the points swing can be bigger" in both title races as a result of the improvements coming from Ferrari. The Italian team have won back-to-back races since the month-long autumn break, giving themselves a great chance of making a late charge at the constructors' title while also having a major impact in the title battle between Verstappen and Lando Norris.
It has been an up-and-down year for the Scuderia in 2024. They struggled with their pace in the middle of the season as a result of a floor upgrade that did not suit the SF-24 well, meaning they were well off the pace at the front of the grid. However, since bringing upgrades to the Italian Grand Prix, the Prancing Horse has burst into life.
Those upgrades that were added to the SF-24 have allowed Ferrari to take victory at both the United States and Mexican Grands Prix. In the United States, Charles Leclerc crossed the finish line first in Austin, while Carlos Sainz was clearly the strongest after winning in Mexico City. Those results have shown that the Italian team are the best on the grid at this moment in time, and as a result, it is not just wins, but constant podium finishes that Frederic Vasseur's team are managing to grab.
Ferrari playing a major role in both title battles
Thanks to their brilliant recent results, Ferrari have now moved above Red Bull in the constructors' championship, and they now sit just 29 points behind McLaren with four races remaining, including two sprint races. They will be looking for their first constructors title since 2008.
Ferrari's fine form also means that they are able to finish ahead of Verstappen and/or Norris, meaning huge point swings towards the Dutchman or the Brit could have major implications in the drivers' championship. Verstappen, who is still waiting for his first win since the Spanish Grand Prix, has a less competitive RB20 at his disposal, so he has been benefiting from Leclerc and Sainz snatching points from Norris.
In Thursday's press conference, Verstappen said that pros and cons surround Ferrari's emergence at the front of the grid: "Naturally, I would prefer to win by 30 seconds, but that's not possible at the moment. But it's like Oscar [Piastri] said, there can be positive or negative for you when there are more teams fighting [at the front]. So sometimes, the points swing can be bigger, but I think for the sport, of course, in general, it's better."
This article was created in collaboration with Corwin Kunst
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