Bernie Ecclestone has backed Max Verstappen to re-enter the Formula 1 World Championship fight, believing he, and not George Russell, will be the main contender alongside Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The Dutchman has endured a miserable start to the 2026 campaign, with Red Bull‘s RB22 struggling to find form, as Mercedes have streaked into the distance.
Antonelli has shocked many by taking the fight to Russell, and open up a 20-point lead in the Drivers’ Standings after four Grands Prix, winning three of them.
It has underlined a huge change in form from the Italian, who struggled to match Russell across much of his debut season in 2025.
Russell, by contrast, has failed to utilise the Mercedes package since taking victory in the opening round in Australia, and in the first Sprint Race of the campaign at Shanghai.
Antonelli has now been touted as a long-term championship contender, but when F1 returned in Miami, it was clear that McLaren have not only made strides in catching up, but so has Red Bull.
Verstappen overturned a huge points deficit last year to take the title down to the wire, amassing multiple wins in the second half of the season.
And Ecclestone, speaking to Swiss publication Blick, is now of the belief that the four-time World Champion will be able to challenge again, and potentially add a fifth to his compendium of achievements.
“Antonelli or Verstappen will be World Champion,” he said.
“Red Bull has apparently overcome the slump. Max has caught fire again – and then he’s dangerous.”
Verstappen will return to action in Canada, looking to bounce back from his disappointing end to the Nurburgring 24 Hours.
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