Max Verstappen is emerging as a strong contender for the 2025 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship despite trailing the McLaren duo, making this season potentially his most remarkable triumph. With seven races left and a challenging points gap, the Dutchman’s pursuit illustrates why many consider this campaign crucial to his legacy as Max Verstappen’s greatest achievement.
Current Standings and Recent Performances
Following consecutive victories at the circuits of Monza and Baku, Verstappen has narrowed his deficit in the championship race. Although he remains 69 points behind leader Oscar Piastri, his recent wins have cut the gap to just 44 points from Lando Norris. These gains came at circuits favoring low aerodynamic drag, which have not traditionally suited McLaren’s strengths.
McLaren’s peak performance typically appears on circuits demanding moderate to high downforce, particularly when track conditions heighten tire wear. This suggests that with the season’s next race in Singapore—known for such characteristics—McLaren is expected to rebound strongly.
Singapore Circuit: A Concern for Verstappen
Singapore stands out as the only venue on the calendar where Verstappen has yet to claim victory. Throughout his dominant championship-winning campaigns, success at this track has eluded him. In 2022, fuel issues forced him to abandon a likely pole position, while in 2023, Red Bull struggled with pace, making it the only race that season without a Red Bull victory. In 2024, Verstappen managed a solid second place.
Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, shared his cautious outlook ahead of the Singapore round:
“Yes, Max Verstappen can win the championship. Verstappen is only three races away. And that’s not as much as people think.”
He added concerns about the circuit, noting,
“My only worry is at Singapore. Even when the Red Bull was an incredible car, for some reason that’s never been a good track for them. That’s the kind of track where they have suffered. On the other hand, they weren’t that bad in Zandvoort. So, who knows? This season has been full of surprises. A team that should be good at a track is useless and vice versa. We keep being surprised. And it’s amazing.”
The Driving Skill Behind Verstappen’s Rise
Villeneuve praised Verstappen’s talent and racing consistency, comparing him to some of Formula 1’s greatest icons.
“Verstappen is a genius. He’s driving like world champions should. He’s driving at that level. If you think about the golden days when you had Prost and Senna and Mansell and Piquet, they were all driving like this. Against each other. That’s the level you want in F1. That’s the level you have to show,”
he remarked.
Why This Could Be Verstappen’s Most Significant Victory
Verstappen has already secured four world championships and set impressive records, including his 2023 season with 19 race wins and 10 consecutive victories—surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s previous record. However, Villeneuve believes that overcoming McLaren’s current form, embodied by Piastri and Norris, would elevate Verstappen’s 2025 title to his greatest accomplishment.
He stated plainly,
“If Max Verstappen wins the World Drivers’ Championship, it’s definitely his greatest achievement ever.”
Villeneuve further emphasized Verstappen’s dominance, saying,
“This year is definitely above the rest because they were not supposed to be in the hunt. He is easily the best of this generation without question.”
Looking Ahead: The Season’s Next Chapter
The battle between Verstappen and the McLaren drivers is intensifying as the season progresses toward circuits favoring different team strengths. Singapore will test Red Bull and Verstappen’s resilience on a track where past performances have been inconsistent. How he navigates these challenges will likely define whether this pursuit becomes the most impressive of his career.
If Verstappen can claim the title against these odds, his 2025 championship could stand as a testament to his skill, determination, and ability to adapt, marking a milestone that might surpass all his previous victories.
