Max Verstappen remains a notable contender for the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship following recent victories in Italy and Azerbaijan, despite trailing significantly in points. With seven races and three sprint events left this season, Verstappen faces a challenging gap but still holds potential to close in on the leaders.
Currently, Verstappen sits 44 points behind second place, held by Lando Norris, and 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri. With 199 points still available, the Dutch driver’s Max Verstappen title chances are being questioned and evaluated by his fellow competitors and teams as the season nears its climax.
Rivals Assess Verstappen’s Prospects for the 2025 Championship
Lando Norris, who holds second position in the standings, acknowledged Verstappen’s chances, saying,
“I mean there’s a chance, so more than zero! There’s probably like actual stats, so I don’t know. Yeah, there’s a chance.”
Norris later emphasized that Verstappen remains a legitimate threat during the closing stages of the season.
Esteban Ocon from Haas expressed respect for Verstappen’s racing mentality, stating,
“We all know Max and how dangerous he is when there is something to grab,”
and added,
“So yeah, there’s a good chance that if he’s got a competitive car until the end of the year he can catch back.”
Mercedes driver George Russell playfully indicated full confidence in Verstappen’s ability to mount a comeback, responding with 100 percent when asked about his title chances, teasing Norris who was present alongside him at a press conference.
Conversely, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc viewed Verstappen’s chances as slim given the current gap and track conditions. He put the likelihood at 20 percent, explaining that Red Bull’s recent upgrades have shown strength but may not be sufficient on high-downforce circuits, where McLaren’s car is expected to perform strongly.
Leclerc added,
“We never know. Obviously they brought an upgrade at Monza which seems to be working very much, but whether it work on downforce tracks, I don’t think enough to beat the McLarens.”
Insights from Potential Future Teammates and Former Colleagues
Isack Hadjar, a Racing Bulls driver who is a favorite to join Verstappen’s team in 2026, expressed a more conservative probability, stating,
“I definitely agree with what Charles said, but I think 20 percent is a lot. I would say 10. 10 is still a good number.”
Alex Albon, Verstappen’s former teammate at Red Bull and currently racing for Williams, placed Verstappen’s chances slightly higher at 15 percent. Albon noted the unpredictable nature of the championship, saying,
“You could have one crash between Lando and Oscar and it’s all game on. I don’t know what the odds are at the bookies, but I’ll go 15.”
The Road Ahead for Verstappen in the 2025 Title Fight
Despite a clear points deficit, Verstappen’s recent strong performances and the remaining opportunities in the season keep his title hopes alive. The 199 points still to be won make the championship far from decided, and the opinions of fellow drivers reflect both respect for Verstappen’s ability and acknowledgment of the difficulty he faces.
As the season progresses toward circuits like Singapore and others favoring McLaren, sustained competitiveness and strategic execution will be critical. Verstappen’s ability to capitalize on potential missteps by his rivals may yet shape the final championship standings, ensuring his name remains prominent in discussions about the 2025 drivers’ crown.
