Max Verstappen heads into the final two rounds of the 2021 Formula 1 season nursing an eight-point lead over Lewis Hamilton after the Mercedes driver’s consecutive victories in Brazil and Qatar.

For many, the title battle is now too close to call – but here are five reasons why Verstappen and Red Bull should not panic just yet.

Max still has the high ground

As ominous as Hamilton and Mercedes looked in Brazil and Qatar, Verstappen’s lead of eight points at this stage is arguably more significant than it first appears.

Even if Hamilton claimed a third successive victory and the fastest lap in Saudi Arabia with his title rival in P2, the pair would head to Abu Dhabi level on points but with Verstappen still in front with nine wins to Hamilton’s eight.