Damon Hill predicts who’s going to win the US Grand Prix between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen

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The final six race weekends of the 2024 Formula 1 season have the potential to be some of the most exciting the sport has seen since the thrilling conclusion of the 2021 campaign.

Max Verstappen will hope that he doesn’t need to wait until the final lap in Abu Dhabi to wrap up his fourth Drivers’ Championship but Lando Norris and McLaren are on the charge.

No driver has lost the championship from the position Verstappen is in at this stage of the season, although there are similarities between how this year is ending and how Jenson Button secured his only title with Brawn GP in 2009.

Brawn had a distinct advantage over the rest of the grid during the first half of the year before being caught up by the rivals – ironically Red Bull coming closest – but had already done enough to win the title.

Red Bull are bringing an important upgrade to Austin and that could prove pivotal to how both championships end.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Damon Hill was asked on the F1 Nation Podcast how he believes the United States Grand Prix is going to end.

The former world champion admitted that it’s an incredibly tough call to make and was reluctant to give a final answer.

However, after being prompted by host Tom Clarkson, Hill finally gave his answer.

Damon Hill backs Lando Norris to beat Max Verstappen at the United States Grand Prix

Broaching the subject of Sunday’s race, Clarkson said: “Now, those podium predictions that I mentioned a moment ago, what are you thinking?”

Hill joked: “I’m not making any. That’s what I’m thinking. Can I just restrict it to a mark?

“Can I just say there’s going to be a McLaren, a Red Bull, and a Mercedes or a Ferrari on the podium? No? Can I do that?”

Clarkson replied: “So, you think three different cars, three different teams are going to be on the podium!”

Hill continued: “I think this is a very difficult call. I mean, I think that McLaren’s form basically has to put them there as a potential winner. And if it’s not McLaren, it would probably be Max and Red Bull.

“But I think there’s a cigarette paper between Ferrari and a Mercedes being up there, probably Lewis, because of his love of the place and his previous record.

“So crikey. I don’t know, very difficult to call. No, you’re not naming me down. I’m not going to. There’s no way…”

Clarkson wasn’t going to let Hill get away without saying a name and replied: “I’m trying to interpret what you said. I think you’ve just said Norris for the win.”

READ MORE: McLaren driver Lando Norris’ life outside F1 from parents to celebration

Hill then admitted: “I think Norris because he’s fighting for the championship. It’s going to be very, very interesting.”

Hill concluded that his final prediction was Norris to win the race, Verstappen to finish second and Hamilton to join them on the podium.

Helmut Marko playing mind games with Lando Norris after pinpointing ‘certain weaknesses’

Red Bull know that Oscar Piastri could play an important role in how both championships end this year.

If he can place himself between Norris and Verstappen regularly enough, then mathematically the title should go the way of the McLaren driver.

However, as Hill explained, Ferrari and Mercedes are also in the conversation and that could complicate things even further.

Helmut Marko has suggested that Norris may still be too mentally weak to close the gap to Verstappen this season.

If McLaren maintain their advantage over the winter break, then it may end up being a battle between their two drivers for the championship in 2025.