Max Verstappen secured a thrilling victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, a moment made even more special as his grandmother was present to witness it live. The Dutch driver’s success with Red Bull was celebrated emotionally by his grandmother during the playing of the Dutch national anthem, highlighting the personal significance of this Max Verstappen Azerbaijan win.
While Verstappen’s partner, Brazilian model Kelly Piquet, was absent from the grandstands due to other commitments, his grandmother, who had just celebrated her birthday alongside him earlier in the weekend, was an important part of his close circle present at the event. Both she and Jos Verstappen, Max’s father, observed the four-time champion standing victoriously on the podium.
Reflecting on seeing his grandmother moved to tears, Verstappen told Viaplay,
“I saw it, of course. It was nice that the family was there, as I don’t see them often. we also got to celebrate her birthday this weekend. so that you could also win the race, that’s great.”
Max Verstappen’s win at the Azerbaijan GP significantly tightened the drivers’ championship race, reducing his points deficit from 94 to 69 points behind the leader.
Max Verstappen Eyes a Fifth Consecutive Championship Amid Rising Competition
Having won the drivers’ championship four years running, Verstappen began the 2025 season aiming to maintain his dominance. However, the landscape shifted as McLaren emerged as a stronger contender, surpassing Red Bull in average pace compared to last year. This new competition compelled Verstappen to push hard for maximum points each weekend.
Although Verstappen claimed two race wins in the first seven events, technical issues with his RB21 car caused occasional setbacks, including a disappointing ninth place at the Hungarian GP. These challenges initially led Red Bull to concede that Verstappen might be out of the title hunt this season.
Since the summer break, however, Verstappen’s form has turned around. During the three race weekends after returning from the break, he has been the highest points scorer among all drivers, finishing second in the Dutch GP and securing victories at both the Italian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix. This resurgence underlined both the driver’s determination and Red Bull’s ability to extract improved performance.
After the Azerbaijan race, team principal Laurent Mekies emphasized a cautious mindset about the title chase, stating,
“We take it race by race.”
Meanwhile, fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda hinted at Verstappen’s potential comeback in the championship standings, saying,
“Thinking about both the championships, both team and drivers for Max [Verstappen].”
Currently, Verstappen trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points but has also narrowed the gap to Lando Norris, who is 44 points ahead, showing that the fight at the top is tightening as the season progresses.
Family Support and Determined Mindset Bolster Verstappen’s Title Bid
Verstappen’s emotional victory in Azerbaijan highlights the important role of family support during high-pressure moments. Having his grandmother and father at the race added a personal dimension to his success, reminding fans and competitors alike of the human side behind the fierce competition.
This turn of fortune comes at a crucial time when confidence and momentum play a decisive role in championship battles. Verstappen’s capacity to recover from mid-season struggles with focused determination, along with Red Bull’s strategic approach, could prove vital in closing the gap to the championship leaders.
As the 2025 Formula 1 season continues, all eyes will remain on Verstappen’s performances and whether he can transform this hopeful resurgence into a fifth consecutive drivers’ title, reinforcing his position among the sport’s elite.
https://twitter.com/F1/status/1969748870880989510
