Max Verstappen’s recent surge has reignited hopes for a Max Verstappen title comeback in the 2025 Formula 1 season. After struggling earlier with a car that lagged behind McLaren, the four-time world champion secured back-to-back wins at Baku and Monza, shaking up the championship battle with seven races remaining.
Turning Point in Verstappen’s 2025 Season
At the beginning of the 2025 season, Max Verstappen faced difficulties matching the pace of McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who held a clear advantage. Despite early wins, Verstappen’s performance dipped midseason. However, his recent victories in Baku and Monza marked a decisive change in momentum, closing the gap between him and the championship leaders significantly.
Expert Views on Verstappen’s Title Chances
F1 insider and former technical expert Gary Anderson highlighted the improbability of Verstappen’s comeback a few weeks ago but acknowledged that recent results have made a resurgence possible. After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Verstappen trails Piastri by 69 points, keeping his championship hopes alive.
It would have seemed preposterous a few races ago but now he certainly has a chance.
Gary Anderson wrote for The Telegraph
Anderson further explained that if Verstappen keeps his winning form over the next two Grands Prix while Norris and Piastri contend with Ferrari and Mercedes, the points difference could shrink dramatically.
If Verstappen wins the next two rounds and Norris and Piastri start mixing it with the Mercedes or Ferrari cars then the gap will reduce dramatically.
Gary Anderson explained
Why Verstappen Is Considered F1’s Top Driver
Verstappen has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, breaking multiple records during his historic 2023 championship campaign and successfully defending his title last year, even against faster McLaren cars. At age 27, he is performing at his best, showing resilience and precision.
Anderson praised Verstappen’s flawless performance amid challenging conditions at Baku, where several rivals faltered with costly mistakes. Charles Leclerc suffered a crash and Oscar Piastri endured two over the weekend, whereas Verstappen completed a perfect race.
Verstappen is (questionably) the best driver on the grid and while so many others made mistakes in Baku in tough conditions, he was flawless. Give him even half a chance and he seems to take it.
Gary Anderson added
What This Means for the Final Stretch of the Season
With seven races remaining, Verstappen is poised to push aggressively to close the points gap. Although he has been modest about his prospects, the momentum from recent victories makes a fifth world championship achievable. Meanwhile, the battles among McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes drivers promise intense competition that could further shift the standings.
The upcoming Grands Prix will be critical in deciding whether Verstappen can sustain his comeback and rewrite the 2025 championship narrative, keeping fans and teams on edge as the season intensifies.
