Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula 1 Champion, claimed that Lando Norris cannot rest on his laurels, as the slightest mistake or problem would mean that Max Verstappen would be there to pick up the pieces, as he remains a threat for the Briton's chances of bagging a maiden Drivers' Crown.
Norris has been on a roll with a dominant win in Mexico, and he didn't leave any points on the table after winning both the Sprint Race and the Grand Prix from pole, while his teammate, Oscar Piastri, keeps floundering with Verstappen lurking and ready to pounce at the first opportunity.
Reflecting on Norris' chances to win the Title, which now seem better than ever, Villeneuve said: "He's super strong now, just like he showed last year at the end of the season.
"When it mattered, he really stepped up. And caught everyone by surprise. So, everyone has to react," he added.
While Norris insists he doesn't believe in momentum, Villeneuve begged to differ; he explained: "When you're on the back foot like Oscar Piastri, things that can go wrong will go wrong.
"That's often what happens, and when you're on the right momentum, somehow things that could go either way, end up going well.
"You carry this luck with you, and normally you call it the luck of champions. It's something you work on, that you bring with you, that energy with that momentum, and right now Lando has that," the Canadian insisted.
Verstappen driving like a Champion
Verstappen, on the other hand, handicapped by a capricious RB21, has been delivering what may go down in history as his best season, always managing to stay in contention against the odds, with his drive from pit lane to third in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix a clear example of the high level he is currently operating at.
"When you see the race that Max did, from pit lane to podium! It's incredible," Villeneuve reflected. "And the last few races he's done, he's been flying. So don't discount him; don't count him out because he's been driving like a champion also.
"The odds are on Lando's side now; the title is in his hands," he went on, "but he can't afford to go to sleep because Max is there. It will be an interesting end of the season. The title could go to any of the three. There are enough races, including a Sprint.
"It just takes one really bad weekend, Lando getting taken out at the start, Piastri wins, and he's back in the lead. Suddenly the momentum changes, Oscar draws confidence, and boom, he wins the next two races. It doesn't take much.
Piastri swimming underwater
"Seeing how strong Verstappen is, he's the biggest threat to Norris, because nothing seems to affect him," Villeneuve then said. "Another lap in Brazil and he would have been P2.
"Another lap and no safety car in Mexico and again P2. So, we're talking six points more. Those six points could make the difference in the Championship.
"But he has managed to put himself in that position, and he should never even have been P3 in both races. So that's why he's a threat.
"Piastri is quick," he continued. "He's a quick driver, but he has had bad momentum since Baku. He's been working on recovering. But when you're on the back foot, you know, it's like swimming underwater.
"At some point, you're just resting for air instead of swimming properly. He needs to get out of that muddy ground, basically.
"Brazil didn't help, the crash over the curb, then the penalty," Villeneuve concluded.
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