Verstappen’s Uphill Battle: Can He Still Contend for the 2025 Championship?
Despite a significant points deficit, Max Verstappen‘s recent resurgence has ignited speculation about a potential championship challenge. Seven races adn three sprint events remain on the calendar, but is a fifth consecutive title realistically within reach?
Currently, Verstappen trails championship leader Oscar Piastri by 69 points and sits 44 points behind Lando Norris. This considerable gap demands a consistently high level of performance - averaging 10 more points per race than Piastri is now essential for overtaking him in the overall standings.
He isn’t banking on luck, however. “I don’t rely on hope,” Verstappen stated following the Azerbaijan grand Prix. Instead, he’s focused on maximizing performance at each event.
Recent Gains & McLaren’s Struggles
A pivotal moment arrived with the introduction of a new floor for Verstappen’s car at the Italian Grand Prix. This upgrade demonstrably improved the car’s balance, leading to victories in both monza and Baku. Consequently,this performance boost presents a genuine threat to the leading McLaren duo.
However, McLaren has faced challenges since the summer break. Norris experienced a retirement in the netherlands due to an oil leak, while the Italian Grand Prix was marred by team order controversy.Furthermore, piastri suffered a first-lap crash in Azerbaijan, compounding their difficulties.
These setbacks, combined with Verstappen’s momentum, have undeniably narrowed the gap. Yet, a significant amount of misfortune for McLaren would still be required for Verstappen to truly contend.
Verstappen’s Focused Approach
Verstappen remains pragmatic, choosing to concentrate on each race individually. “It’s seven rounds left, 69 points is a lot. I personally don’t think about it,” he explained after Baku. “I just go race by race, what I have been doing basically the whole season – just trying to do the best we can, try to score the most points that we can. and then after Abu dhabi, we’ll know.”
so far this season, Verstappen has secured four race wins – in Japan, twice in Italy, and Azerbaijan – alongside a sprint race victory in belgium. These results demonstrate his continued ability to perform at the highest level.
Acknowledgment from the Competition
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella acknowledges the renewed threat. “max is in the contention for the drivers’ championship,” Stella conceded after the Azerbaijan race. “We knew it and we got confirmation today.”
Beyond the Driver’s Championship
Red Bull’s ambitions extend beyond the driver’s title. They are also striving to improve their position in the constructors’ championship. Currently holding 272 points, they need to surpass Ferrari (286) and Mercedes (290) to secure second place.
A total of 199 points are still available through remaining races and sprint events, making both championships very much alive. Ultimately, the next few races will be crucial in determining whether Verstappen can mount a successful challenge and secure his fifth consecutive world title.You can expect a thrilling finish to the season as the battle intensifies.
