Max Verstappen has significantly closed the points gap in the F1 championship fight following his victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver cut the deficit to 69 points behind Oscar Piastri but remains aware that the battle for his fifth Formula One title is far from over.
Verstappen’s recent performances have been marked by strong back-to-back wins in Italy and Azerbaijan. He secured pole position at Monza and converted it into a race victory, then repeated the feat in Baku by winning again, preventing Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris from extending their lead. After 17 races and three sprint events, Verstappen has accumulated 255 points, trailing Norris’s 299 and Piastri’s 324. To contend seriously for the championship, Verstappen must gain at least 70 more points in the remaining races.
Verstappen Highlights Challenges Ahead in Title Pursuit
Addressing the 69-point gap, Verstappen acknowledged the difficulty of overturning such a margin at this stage of the season.
“Seven races to go and it’s still 69 points, it’s a lot,”
he stated.
“Basically, everything needs to go perfect from my side and then a bit of luck from their side I need as well. So it’s still very tough.”
Verstappen emphasized his approach of focusing on each race individually.
“I just go race by race, which I have been doing basically the whole season – just trying to do the best we can, try to score the most points that we can. Then after Abu Dhabi, we’ll know,”
he added.
The calculations suggest Verstappen must aim for maximum points in every remaining race and sprint event while hoping his rivals lose ground for the title contest to tighten. However, considering the current points spread, this scenario appears to be a formidable challenge.
Oscar Piastri Unfazed by Verstappen’s Late Surge
Oscar Piastri, who leads the championship standings, expressed no anxiety about Verstappen’s recent progress despite a difficult weekend in Baku. Following a crash in qualifying, Piastri started the Azerbaijan GP from ninth place but faced a setback with a false start. His race lasted only 52 seconds after colliding with the barriers, resulting in his first Did Not Finish (DNF) of the season. This incident allowed Verstappen to shrink the points gap.
According to a report from Dutch media outlet De Telegraaf, Piastri remains confident and “not yet worried” about Verstappen’s challenge even after the race mishap at the Baku City Circuit.
Context of the Championship and What Lies Ahead
With seven races left before the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen’s intense push represents a critical phase of the title fight, not only as a battle among teammates and rivals but also as a test of consistency, strategy, and resilience under pressure. The Dutchman, inspired by his previous championship successes, is determined to capitalize on every opportunity.
Meanwhile, Piastri’s lead and Norris’s ongoing points accumulation mean the championship remains highly competitive, demanding precision and composure. Verstappen’s ability to maintain momentum and avoid errors is essential if he is to transform the current situation into a genuine championship contention in these final stages.
This season’s developments, including Verstappen’s wins and Piastri’s setbacks, have intensified the tension, setting the stage for a gripping conclusion as the drivers prepare for the upcoming races in Europe and beyond.
