Max Verstappen is firmly back in the Formula 1 title race following his commanding victory in Azerbaijan on Sunday. The Dutch driver capitalized on misfortunes faced by his rivals, with championship leader Oscar Piastri crashing out of the race and his McLaren teammate Lando Norris finishing in seventh place. This result has tightened the championship standings, placing Verstappen just 69 points behind Piastri and 44 points behind Norris, with seven races left in the season.
According to Sky Sports F1 analyst Ted Kravitz, Verstappen is poised to exert pressure on the McLaren duo, who are both seeking their first drivers’ titles. Kravitz noted, “He knows he’s back in it because he’s got the car, that’s the thing.” He explained that Red Bull’s strategy has always been to remain competitive with the McLarens and to wait for crucial moments in the season when the pressure intensifies.
“Had he had the car all along, the plan was to stay within touching distance of the two McLarens,” Kravitz continued. “Now he’s got the car again, and I think he can go back to plan A for the season.” With a series of challenging tracks coming up, including those in Singapore and Las Vegas, Verstappen is ready to “pounce like the lion he is” on his less experienced competitors.
Verstappen’s Resurgence and Upcoming Challenges
The 2025 Formula 1 season has seen a resurgence for Verstappen after a difficult stretch where he failed to secure a podium finish in four consecutive races. His fortunes changed with a solid performance at his home race in the Netherlands, followed by victories in Italy and Azerbaijan. Former W Series champion Jamie Chadwick praised Verstappen’s adaptability in tricky conditions, saying, “He’s clearly found something with the car, which is great because that’s given him a car that he can compete at the front.”
Chadwick emphasized the significance of Verstappen’s mindset, noting that his recent results have revitalized his competitive spirit. “It’s interesting now, the title fight, because it’s a lot of points. It’s 69 points away, but I would never rule him out,” she stated. “He kind of smiled about it at the weekend and said, ‘it’s a lot of points, but never say never.’”
As the title race heats up, Verstappen’s confidence appears to be returning. He has expressed a renewed determination to chase the championship, indicating that he is ready to capitalize on any opportunities that may arise as the season progresses.
The next challenge for Verstappen and his competitors will take place at the Singapore Grand Prix, scheduled for October 3-5, 2025. As the competition intensifies under the lights of the Marina Bay circuit, fans can expect an exhilarating showdown among the leading drivers in the hunt for the championship.
