Max Verstappen delivered a surprising and commanding victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix despite struggling during the early stages of the weekend. Red Bull Racing appeared more competitive after the summer break, though Verstappen and his team had expressed doubts leading into the event. In response, Lando Norris criticized the notion that Red Bull is an underdog this season, insisting their pace has been strong throughout 2025.
Lando Norris began the Azerbaijan GP weekend as a strong contender, aiming for pole position and race victory. However, a turbulent qualifying session and underwhelming race pace led to a seventh-place finish, well behind Verstappen’s dominant win. The Dutch driver’s flawless grand slam performance in Baku left McLaren trailing far behind.
Norris Challenges Misconceptions About Red Bull’s Speed
Reflecting on Red Bull and Verstappen’s exceptional showing in Baku, Norris highlighted that it is rare for the Milton Keynes-based team to be slow on track. He urged observers to stop expressing surprise when Verstappen delivers dominant performances on race weekends.
“It’s not often that they’re slow, so I think people need to stop being so surprised that they’re quick.” Lando Norris said, as reported by GPblog
Recalling the start of the year, Norris reminded that Verstappen frequently won or narrowly missed victories early in the season. He noted that Verstappen came within striking distance of the season opener‘s win in Australia by less than a second and was close in the sprint race of the second round. This consistency, Norris argued, proves the team’s sustained pace.
“Max was winning races already at the beginning of the year. He could have won round one. I think he was pretty close to winning round two in the sprint or something. The whole season, they’ve been quick.” Lando Norris added
The Title Race Tightens as Verstappen Eyes Remaining Races
The 2025 Formula 1 season still has seven races remaining, and Verstappen’s Azerbaijan triumph has intensified the championship battle. Currently, Verstappen trails the leader, Oscar Piastri, by 69 points and is 44 points behind teammate Lando Norris who holds second place. Given the upcoming tracks suit Red Bull’s strengths, Norris conceded the Austrian team will be a formidable challenge going forward.
Norris acknowledged that Red Bull’s performance has consistently been strong all season. The recent upgrades introduced at Monza have further enhanced their competitiveness, ensuring Verstappen remains a contender for both race wins and the championship. Norris cautiously anticipates that Red Bull will apply significant pressure on McLaren during the remaining races.
“The Red Bulls have been good. They brought some upgrades to Monza, which seems to have helped them improve even more. So not a surprise. I think we know that they’re an incredibly strong team and one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1. So we expect nothing less. They’re going to make our life difficult, I think, for the rest of the season.” Lando Norris noted
Max Verstappen’s Determined Push Toward the Championship
Earlier, Verstappen expressed that his results alone no longer determine his chances at the 2025 title. However, recent developments, including a surprising DNF for Oscar Piastri in Baku and a modest finish by Norris, have reopened his opportunity to contend. Verstappen is now committed to maximizing every chance in the final rounds to keep his championship hopes alive.
This shift injects urgency into the latter stages of the season, where every point will be crucial. Verstappen’s resurgence at the Azerbaijan GP underscores his ability to capitalize on the moment, reinforcing his status as a top contender amid increasing pressure from emerging rivals in McLaren and other teams.
