Not to be Ruled Out: Max Verstappen's Fight for His Fifth
08 October 2025In a season that seemed as though McLaren would dominate, securing both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ championships comfortably, Max Verstappen remains in the background, edging closer to the leaders and reminding everyone why he’s so respected and feared.
In recent rounds, the Dutch driver has rapidly gone from being dismissed as a championship contender to being regarded as a genuine threat to McLaren’s campaign.
2025 has been the year of McLaren. They started the season with a level of dominance from both drivers that left the field struggling to catch up. Mercedes continued their 2022 regulation issues, Ferrari lost the pace they gained in 2024, and Max Verstappen fought tirelessly against the RB21.
In Hungary, Oscar Piastri’s lead over Max Verstappen was approaching 100 points, and most people had nearly written off the Dutchman. There was still a long way to go in the season, but with McLaren securing seven 1-2 finishes, it was becoming increasingly difficult to compete.
Then came the Dutch Grand Prix. Max Verstappen, starting third in front of his home crowd, made an early lunge into second place. However, the RB21 was still no match for the MCL39, as Verstappen lacked the race pace to defend against Norris behind.
Yet, disaster struck for Norris. The Briton pulled to the side of the track as he lost power; his Dutch Grand Prix was over. For the first time in months, Verstappen significantly closed the gap to Norris in the championship, leaving Zandvoort 70 points behind Norris and 104 points behind Piastri.
The tides shifted, as for the first time in 2025, Verstappen seemed comfortable behind the wheel of his Red Bull car. Heading into Monza, Verstappen mounted his challenge. Despite both McLarens looking incredibly strong throughout the early parts of the weekend, Verstappen secured pole.
The Dutchman was determined to secure a win for the first time since Imola. In a surprising turn of events, it was not Verstappen who was unable to catch the McLaren duo for the first time; instead, it was the McLaren pair, 19 seconds behind the Dutchman as they took the chequered flag.
Although both Piastri and Norris finished on the podium, an unsettling feeling lingered in the air. A hint of concern from the McLaren pit wall as the Dutch national anthem played around Monza. Verstappen was 63 points behind Norris and 94 points behind Piastri. But it wasn’t finished yet.
As McLaren travelled to Azerbaijan, they experienced their most challenging weekend of the season, and the four-time world champion was ready to capitalise on it. Verstappen secured pole position, while Piastri and Norris started the race in ninth and seventh places.
Verstappen was uncontested in the race, winning by 14 seconds while Norris scored six points for seventh place, and Piastri left Baku empty-handed after hitting the wall on the opening lap. By the time they left Baku, the gap to Norris was just 44 points for Verstappen and 69 points to Piastri.
However, Baku served as a signal for the Dutch driver and Red Bull that Monza was not an isolated incident, and the team had resolved some of the car's problems, allowing their reigning champion to race competitively once more.
Most recently in Singapore, Verstappen once again narrowed the gap to the McLarens. Verstappen took the chequered flag 5 seconds behind George Russell, who won, but crucially for any title ambitions, he finished ahead of both McLaren drivers.
Currently, the championship margin is 63 points to Piastri and 41 to Norris, with six races left in the season.
It will not be an easy fight for Max Verstappen, and beyond his own talent, if he hopes to win the championship, he needs more weekends like Baku for McLaren.
However, with the talent the Dutchman possesses, winning four consecutive championships and remaining competitive year after year regardless of the car he drives, it seems naïve to dismiss him.
Especially with tensions rising at McLaren and Singapore highlighting that while the Papaya team presents their title battle as all cordial and happy, Oscar Piastri has started to express his frustration over the team's choices.
From swapping the duo after Norris experienced a slow pit stop in Monza to Piastri feeling disgruntled over contact with his teammate in Singapore, the cracks are starting to appear. It’s crucial for McLaren to fix these issues.
The upcoming rounds demand perfection for McLaren. If Verstappen wins, they must secure a place on the podium, minimising points lost at every chance.
They may have a lead of over 60 points, but everyone on the grid, in the paddock, and at home knows that if you give Max Verstappen the chance, he will capitalise on the chaos.
