A few races from the end of the F1 2021 season, there are still no certainties about who will become the next Formula 1 champion, even if for the most superstitious there already seem to be clues in terms of statistics.

There is no doubt that the fight for the World Championship is restricted to Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, with the Dutchman currently at the top of the drivers' standings, ahead of the 7-time champion by just 6 points. However, the stats from the past decade, in some cases, seem to be closer to the Red Bull driver.

Many are cheering for Max Verstappen, the pressure is heavy on the youngster, and also the Red Bull Team Principal, Christian Horner, is optimistic about his driver's season finale, as he revealed to SportBild:

"Max is certainly older than what his identity card says," - he said- "He looks more than 24 years old. He is extremely mature for his young age. But this is normal when he comes from a racing family.

“He has great balance and drives constantly. Also, he has gained experience over the years, and that certainly helps him. He is now ready for the title. The way he’s handling the championship proves it to me. "

During an exclusive interview with Motorsport.com, ahead of the US Grand Prix in Austin, Verstappen opened up on the 2021 World Championship, explaining why he thinks winning the title won't be a life changer, and why, as he said, he “won't have nightmares” if Lewis Hamilton will beat him, conquering his 8th title overall and 7th with Mercedes.

"To be honest, for some it does change your life but for me it doesn't," - Verstappen said - "It is of course my goal, and I will always try to be the best I can be, but it's not going to change my life in terms of how I live it or what I'm going to do afterwards.

"I see a lot of happy drivers or people who haven't won a championship. I think whatever you do on track shouldn't influence your personal life.

"At least I would not be a sore, sad person if I would never win a championship. I will have a lot of things I can also do after Formula 1.

"For me Formula 1 is one part of your life, but actually the most important is what is outside of Formula 1. Maybe [some] people don't really know how to deal with that," the Dutch Driver explained.

"If I can say later on 'I've won the world championship' then great, is it amazing and something you dream of, but if it doesn't materialise because of obvious reasons – where you didn't have the right package to do so or it just didn't click or you were unlucky, then so be it," - he added -"It's not like I'm going to wake up in the middle of the night because of having nightmares about it. For me it will not change my life."