Max Verstappen demonstrated on Sunday in Baku that he remains a formidable force in Formula 1, reinforcing his standing after securing victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite doubts following earlier struggles this season, Verstappen’s Azerbaijan win highlights his continued contention for the 2025 drivers’ championship as the title battle intensifies.
Verstappen’s Performance Shakes Up Title Race Amid McLaren Setback
After capturing pole position on a track where he is typically less dominant, Verstappen maintained his edge throughout the race, clinching a crucial win. This outcome was compounded by a costly setback for McLaren, whose early-season momentum came to a sudden halt due to a dramatic failure.
Initially, the McLaren team had garnered widespread support and appeared poised to challenge Red Bull’s dominance, especially after a strong start in Melbourne. Many in the paddock and media had prematurely dismissed Verstappen’s chances in this year’s title fight. However, the Dutch star’s experience and resilience have ensured he stays in contention despite the team’s internal changes and previous poor results.
The Baku victory marks Verstappen’s second consecutive win, signaling his resurgence as a championship threat with seven races still remaining in the season.
Evaluating Verstappen’s Prospects for the 2025 Drivers’ Championship
In what is only Laurent Mekies’ fifth race as Red Bull’s principal, the team boss acknowledged the encouraging signs following the Azerbaijan GP, noting the team’s competitiveness in an era otherwise dominated by McLaren.
While McLaren had the opportunity to secure the constructors’ championship in Baku, a sudden retirement for Oscar Piastri and a seventh-place finish for teammate Lando Norris revealed vulnerabilities within the papaya squad. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s recent upgrade package, introduced at Monza, has significantly boosted their performance over the past two races, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix delivering their highest points haul since last year’s race in China.
When questioned about Verstappen’s title chances, Mekies maintained a cautious approach:
We take it race by race
he said, responding to Sky F1 after the Azerbaijan event.
Currently, Verstappen trails Norris by 44 points and Piastri by 69 in the championship standings, despite earning 50 points over the past two race weekends. While winning a fifth straight championship may seem ambitious, it remains within the realm of possibility given how the season is unfolding.
The possibility exists for Verstappen to finish the year positioned between the McLaren drivers, which would mark a shift in perception. It appears that McLaren and their drivers might now be more aware of the ongoing threat Verstappen poses in the title race.
Future Implications for the F1 Title Battle
This recent victory in Azerbaijan injects fresh energy into Verstappen’s campaign and reshapes expectations for the remaining season. With the competition tightening and team dynamics continuing to evolve, the championship outlook remains unpredictable. Verstappen’s ability to leverage his experience and Red Bull’s technical upgrades could prove decisive as the season approaches its conclusion.
