Sauber chief Jonathan Wheatley praises Max Verstappen’s relentless championship drive. Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley says Max Verstappen’s ability to challenge for the championship is extraordinary.

Former Red Bull chief backs Max Verstappen

The United States Grand Prix reopened the championship battle for Max Verstappen, who in Texas claimed all 33 available points – recovering 23 on Oscar Piastri and 15 on Lando Norris. Now the championship lead is ‘only’ 40 points with five races and two Sprint events remaining.

After the Dutch GP in Zandvoort, Max Verstappen trailed by 104 points. In just four races, the Red Bull driver more than halved the gap, steadily increasing the pressure on the McLaren duo.

Jonathan Wheatley on Max Verstappen’s title chances

When asked about the title chances of his former protege, current Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley said: “As long as the mathematics leave even a small opening, every driver believes they can still fight for the championship,” said the former Red Bull sporting director. “Normally, no, Max Verstappen shouldn’t be in the title fight, but he has the ‘habit’ of rewriting the rules, and he has done that throughout his career.”