Max Verstappen confronts a daunting task as he aims for his fifth consecutive Formula 1 world championship title in 2025. Currently trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points, Verstappen’s title challenge depends on a mix of strong performances and a shift in fortunes over the remaining races of the season.
The Current Standings and Recent Momentum
The Red Bull driver has closed the gap after securing impressive back-to-back victories in Italy and Azerbaijan, reducing the deficit to 44 points behind Lando Norris in second place and significantly behind Piastri. Verstappen’s recent form has been boosted by upgrades to the Red Bull car, which have increased his comfort and confidence, allowing him to compete more aggressively against McLaren’s front runners.
A key factor in shrinking Verstappen’s points gap was the retirement of Piastri and a seventh-place finish for Norris at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Despite these gains, with seven races and three sprint events remaining, the question remains whether Verstappen can realistically overturn the current standings.
Expert Analysis on Verstappen’s Odds
Sky Sports F1 analyst Craig Slater has assessed Verstappen’s challenging position with cautious optimism. Slater emphasized Verstappen’s remarkable performances this season, highlighting moments such as the aggressive overtake at Tamburello and a critical save at Zandvoort. He said,
“Can Verstappen sensationally cling on to his world crown? Even though he’s 69 points behind with just seven races left, if all the cars were equal he would still be my title favourite,”
Slater said.
Slater went on to explain that despite Verstappen’s outstanding driving, his car currently lags behind McLaren’s in overall performance. This requires Verstappen to outscore Piastri by approximately 10 points and Norris by seven points in each of the remaining events. He noted,
“So Verstappen winning, Norris second and Piastri third at those last seven races does the trick, Verstappen is the champion, if of course he keeps points parity across the final three sprints.”
Slater also acknowledged the possibility of Verstappen making history with a ninth straight championship but stressed the difficulty of this achievement given McLaren’s current advantage. He identified specific upcoming races—Singapore, Qatar, and Brazil—as pivotal, where a failure from Piastri could open the door for Verstappen. Slater stated,
“If Piastri were to DNF in Singapore, Qatar, or Brazil, or for whatever reason have a bad weekend in those places, that would be a double boost for Max. The high downforce nature of those tracks favour McLaren, so if Piastri were to draw a blank at any of those, it would be game on for Verstappen.”
Regarding the tracks later in the season, Slater noted,
“Singapore will reveal a lot. Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi should be decent Red Bull tracks, Mexico City maybe a little bit on the trickier side. Despite what I’ve said about Qatar and Brazil, Max won on both those circuits last year.”
However, he underlined the challenge clearly,
“This kind of points deficit has never been overcome, never mind so late in a season.”
Verstappen’s Perspective on the Title Race
Earlier in the season, Verstappen appeared forthcoming about the difficulty of defending his crown in 2025. Nonetheless, following recent positive developments, the Dutch driver has not dismissed the possibility of a comeback despite acknowledging the challenge ahead. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, he admitted,
“Seven races to go and it’s still 69 points, it’s a lot,”
Verstappen said.
He added,
“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.”
After the Azerbaijan race, Verstappen maintained a pragmatic stance, emphasizing his focus on performance rather than hope: I don’t rely on hope.
McLaren’s View on Verstappen as a Threat
Despite the points gap, McLaren acknowledges Verstappen’s continued threat in the 2025 championship race. After qualifying in Baku, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella highlighted Verstappen’s speed and competitiveness. Stella remarked,
“Pole position in Monza, victory, pole position here, Red Bull are a very serious contender to win races and a very serious contender for the Drivers’ Championship,”
he said.
When asked if Verstappen remains a viable contender for the title, Stella responded enthusiastically,
”A firm YES. Can you write it in capitals? Because it was quoted in capitals.”
What Lies Ahead in the Championship Battle
The upcoming races are critical for Verstappen if he hopes to turn the championship tide. Red Bull’s recent upgrades and Verstappen’s resilient driving have narrowed the points gap, yet overcoming McLaren’s advantage demands near-flawless execution combined with strategic opportunities.
Tracks like Singapore and the triple-header of Qatar, Brazil, and Abu Dhabi present decisive moments where the championship could swing. Verstappen’s capacity to capitalize on these will determine whether he can defy history, reclaiming the Max Verstappen title challenge and extending his reign as world champion. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely as this intense battle unfolds during the final stages of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
