Max Verstappen’s top challenger in the 2024 F1 season could be L🎀ando Norris.

Ralf Schumacher believes the impressive McLaren driver could take a further step forward and establish himself as the ಌtop contender to the championship reign of Verstappen.

Schumacher also considered whether Lewiꦕs Hamilton or George Russell could emerge in the title picture.

“It all depends on the car,” he told the  podc﷽ast.

“Merc💧edes? If they are finally back. They still have to prove because you know how difficult it is.

“They🌳 looked very up and down on performance [last year]. So let’s cross fingers that they do.”

But Schumacher insists Verstappen’s nearest competitor could come from the team who took a massive step forwards mཧidway through last season.

“McLaren? Could be possible,” he said.

“I am a big fan of Oscar Piastri. The only thing is, he still seems to be a bit weak in t𝓰he racing speed.

“I think he is amazing in his qualifying performanc🅰e. He never makes a mistake and he’s always there, so that’s great.

“Lando is💦 an amazing racer but💞 maybe he sometimes wants too much in qualifying.

“He co🧸uld be the one to challenge Max if the car is…”

Norris secured seven F1 grand prix po🌌dium finishes last season.

Each of them was claimed from Silverstone onwards, as McLaren ben🐓efitted hugely from a mid-season upgrade which, at some stages, took them closer to Red Bull than the likes of Mercedes, Ferrari or Aston Mart𒉰in.

McLaren have tied down their hugely promising driver 🍎Norris to a new contract.

Norris pocketed $15m in 2023, report.

But with his new deal, he is expected to shoot higher up the list of 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:F1 driver salaries.

His bumper new deal should also fend off potentiꦿal interest fr🌌om Red Bull.