Will Verstappen win every remaining race? | Second half of the season predictions!

Matt Baker, Natalie Pinkham, Damon Hill and Max Verstappen's former performance engineer Blake Hinsey join for our latest pod.

They preview the second half of the season and discuss at which race Red Bull's Verstappen could win his third world title.

Who will come second in the driver and constructor standings behind Verstappen and Red Bull is debated.

They finish by giving their thoughts as to who'll be the most improved driver on the grid and provide their bold prediction for the rest of the year.

## Introduction

- Matt Baker hosts the Sky Sports F1 podcast with Natalie Pinkham, Damon Hill, and former performance engineer to Max Verstappen, Blake Hinsey.
- They preview the second half of the season and discuss at which race Red Bull's Verstappen could win his third world title.
- They debate who will come second in the driver and constructor standings behind Verstappen and Red Bull.
- They conclude by giving their thoughts on who'll be the most improved driver on the grid and provide their bold prediction for the rest of the year.

## Race Predictions for the Second Half of the Season

- All participants agree that Max Verstappen will win the World Championship and the Constructors' Championship.
- Damon Hill believes that Verstappen could win the title as early as the Japanese Grand Prix, while Natalie Pinkham thinks it will be in Qatar.
- Blake Hinsey highlights Verstappen's dominance and questions if anything can stop him from winning every remaining race.

## Potential Challenges to Verstappen's Dominance

- Natalie Pinkham raises the concern that Verstappen may become bored or unmotivated due to the repetitive nature of the racing schedule.
- Damon Hill suggests that Verstappen may need a "reset year" to reignite his passion for Formula One.
- Blake Hinsey proposes that a stint in a slower car could provide Verstappen with a new challenge and motivation.

## Runner-up in the Drivers' World Championship

- Natalie Pinkham predicts that Lewis Hamilton will finish runner-up, citing potential improvements in Mercedes' car.
- Damon Hill initially favored Fernando Alonso but changed his prediction to Sergio Perez.
- Blake Hinsey also selects Perez, emphasizing his strong performances in the second half of the season.

## Most Improved Driver on the Grid

- The participants discuss the difficulty in predicting the most improved driver due to the competitiveness of the midfield.
- Damon Hill suggests Alex Albon as a potential candidate, given his impressive performances in the Williams car.
- Natalie Pinkham highlights Lando Norris' consistency and potential for further improvement.

## Bold Predictions for the Rest of the Year

- Damon Hill predicts that George Russell will win a race before the end of the season.
- Natalie Pinkham expects to see more surprises and unpredictable results in the remaining races.
- Blake Hinsey believes that Nyck de Vries will impress if he gets the opportunity to race for Williams.


**Key Points:**

- Red Bull's Max Verstappen is expected to win his third world title, and the team is likely to secure the Constructors' Championship as well.


- Mercedes is the favorite to finish second in both the Drivers' and Constructors' standings, with Lewis Hamilton potentially challenging for the runner-up spot.


- McLaren has shown significant improvement and could challenge for third in the Constructors' Championship, with Alex Albon emerging as the most improved driver.


- Oscar Piastri is expected to make a strong impact in the second half of the season, potentially closing the gap to teammate Lando Norris.


- Aston Martin's early-season gains have faded, while McLaren has made significant strides, becoming the most improved team.


- Sergio Perez is seen as the most likely non-Red Bull driver to win a race, with the possibility of an upset victory by Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, or a McLaren driver.


- A bold prediction is that McLaren could overtake Ferrari in the Constructors' Championship standings.


- Alex Albon is tipped to win a race for Williams, which would be a major upset.


- McLaren is expected to secure several podium finishes before the end of the season.


- Lewis Hamilton's retirement is a possibility, leaving open the question of who would partner George Russell at Mercedes.


- The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort is highly anticipated, with fans eager to see the return of F1 cars to the iconic track.