The recent results will give satisfaction in the Mercedes camp, while there are concerns at Red Bull. Jolyon Palmer thinks compatriot Lewis Hamilton is the favorite for the title for the first time this season.
Although Max Verstappen maximized the result in Turkey and left as the world championship leader, Palmer thinks the Dutchman did not leave Istanbul a happy man. “I don’t think Verstappen can be happy with that race. It’s true that he came second and took over the championship lead, but he was no match for Valtteri Bottas,” Palmer said. talkSPORT.
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“The fact that Bottas was never really threatened by Verstappen, even though they were number one and two throughout the race, is a blow from Mercedes. Bottas never had to look in his mirrors and eventually won with a 15-second lead,” Palmer said. . The Brit expects problems for Verstappen. “Hamilton would have won easily if he started from pole position. You know what? I think Hamilton is the favorite for the title for the first time this season.”
Coming races are key
Palmer finally looks ahead to the end of the season and sees where Verstappen has to compete for the marbles. “I’m concerned about the Red Bull because I can’t remember the last time they really had a lot of speed. Red Bull should be better on the next three tracks in the US, Mexico and Brazil. Then it’s Mercedes terrain. Hamilton is going to increase the pressure there enormously. Verstappen really has to show it in the coming races,” he concludes.
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