By Andy DeLay
Just four Grand Prix ago, the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship was all but wrapped up. Oscar Piastri held a seemingly unassailable 104-point lead over a struggling Max Verstappen. Fast forward to the aftermath of a dominant US Grand Prix victory, and the narrative has been flipped on its head. Verstappen has not just narrowed the gap—he has officially declared his championship defense ‘Game On,’ slashing Piastri’s lead to a mere 40 points with just five races and two Sprints remaining.
The turnaround is nothing short of extraordinary. Since the Dutch Grand Prix, where Piastri last stood on the top step, the Red Bull resurgence has been relentless. Verstappen has won three of the last four Grands Prix, including a perfect weekend in Austin where he took maximum points from both the Sprint and the Feature Race.
Meanwhile, the once-dominant McLaren squad has shown the first signs of cracking under pressure. The Circuit of the Americas saw an uncharacteristic low point, culminating in a disastrous Saturday Sprint collision between Piastri and his teammate, Lando Norris, resulting in a double DNF. In Sunday’s Grand Prix, while Norris recovered for a strong P2, Piastri could only manage a distant P5, struggling for pace all weekend.
The pressure is now firmly on the McLaren garage. They have already secured the Constructors’ title, but the Drivers’ Championship, a first since 2008, is slipping from their grasp. Piastri, despite his diminishing lead, remains defiant, stating he’d “still rather be where I am.” However, the sheer momentum behind Verstappen is a force to be reckoned with, especially with Norris closing to within just 14 points of his teammate, potentially adding another layer of intra-team complexity for McLaren.
The Path to a Fifth Title: What Verstappen Must Do
With 141 points still available, the title is mathematically wide open. For Max Verstappen to complete what would be one of the greatest comebacks in Formula 1 history and secure his fifth consecutive title, the mission is simple, yet brutally difficult: Absolute Perfection.
1. Keep Winning: Verstappen must target a victory in all five remaining Grands Prix and both Sprints. His Red Bull RB21 now appears to be a match for the McLaren on every type of circuit, giving him the machinery to deliver.
2. Exploit McLaren’s Internal Battle: The most significant assist Verstappen can receive is from the two McLarens taking points off each other. If Norris consistently finishes ahead of Piastri, the points deficit to the championship leader shrinks faster.
3. Capitalize on Piastri’s Form: Since his last win, Piastri’s form has been inconsistent. Verstappen needs to ensure that when his own car falters, his rival doesn’t maximize his points haul. Any further P4 or P5 finishes for Piastri will be catastrophic for the Australian’s title hopes.
The key statistic? If Verstappen were to sweep the remaining five Grands Prix and two Sprints, Piastri would need to finish second in every single one of those races and sprints to beat him by just a handful of points. Any finish lower than second, or any reliability issue for the McLaren, and the title pendulum swings dramatically to the Red Bull garage.
Verstappen, the experienced four-time champion, is now in the mindset of the hunter. He has nothing to lose and is delivering under maximum pressure. The final races in Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi are set to deliver a breathtaking climax to the 2025 F1 season.
It’s no longer just a two-way fight between the McLarens. The World Champion has roared back, and he’s coming for the crown.
Image Credit: Getty Images/ Red Bull Content Pool