Verstappen Looms: McLaren Feels the Pressure in F1, Title at Stake?

Verstappen Rejoins the Fight for the F1 Championship: Is McLaren in Trouble?

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Max Verstappen dominating from start to finish, has reignited the conversation about the possibility of the Red Bull driver joining the fight for the 2025 season title. Despite being 69 points behind the leader, Verstappen’s impeccable performance, which included pole position, the fastest lap, and the race victory, has generated an atmosphere of uncertainty in the McLaren team. The weekend in Baku was not favorable for McLaren. Oscar Piastri crashed in qualifying and on the first lap of the race, while Lando Norris did not take advantage of the opportunities to score valuable points. The team, which has dominated much of the season, had an irregular performance. McLaren boss Andrea Stella went so far as to say that Verstappen is a title contender, a statement that gained strength after the race.

Definitely, Max is in contention for the drivers’ championship. We knew it, and we confirmed it today.

Andrea Stella, McLaren boss

Despite the considerable points difference, Verstappen has reduced Piastri’s lead by 35 points in the last two races. Verstappen’s victory and Piastri’s race without points put him 69 points behind the Australian and 44 behind Norris. With seven races remaining, the situation becomes more interesting.

Max Verstappen

Verstappen himself is cautious. “There are still 69 points to cover. Basically, everything has to go perfectly on my side, and I also need a bit of luck,” commented the driver. However, the mere possibility of Verstappen being considered a title contender says a lot about his impact on F1. Verstappen’s performance has led rivals like Fernando Alonso and Gabriel Bortoleto to speak of him as if he were from another dimension. His reputation, especially in 2024, and his ability to perform in cars perceived as difficult to drive, make him a competitor to be reckoned with. His winning streak in 2023, with 10 consecutive races, positions him as a real threat. McLaren’s fragility has also been exposed. The team did not respond well to the pressure in Baku. Piastri’s performance was a surprise, and Norris failed to capitalize on the situation. The points gap between Verstappen and the McLaren drivers could be even greater.

Max Verstappen could re-enter the fight for the F1 title after an impeccable weekend in Azerbaijan.Piastri’s calmness and Norris’s attitude towards missed opportunities contrast with Verstappen’s perspective. Stella, alluding to Michael Schumacher’s experience, downplayed Piastri’s mistakes, arguing that even champions make errors. However, Verstappen, with his consistency, stands out as the surprise contender. Stella’s comments could be aimed at motivating her own team. Verstappen’s victories in Monza and Baku have exerted external pressure on McLaren. Red Bull has improved its performance, and Verstappen has won two consecutive races. The situation resembles the soundtrack of “Jaws”, with Verstappen lurking on the horizon. Verstappen prefers to focus on each race. However, the next race in Singapore, where he has never won, could be key. “If we are competitive in Singapore, maybe we can start dreaming,” commented Helmut Marko, Red Bull Racing advisor. If Red Bull wins in Singapore, the possibility of Verstappen dominating the rest of the season becomes more real. The lack of internal competition at Red Bull and the possibility of Piastri and Norris facing each other without restrictions legitimize the idea that Verstappen is in the fight. Although it seems an unlikely scenario, Verstappen’s presence adds excitement to the championship. McLaren, who hoped to secure the constructors’ championship, now has a target in sight and a shadow of Verstappen growing. Singapore promises to be a decisive race.