Verstappen Lurking: Is McLaren Shaking? The Dutchman in the Fight for the F1 Championship

Max Verstappen: A Surprising Contender in the Championship Fight?

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix witnessed the mastery of Max Verstappen, who, with an impeccable performance, took the victory. This display, along with McLaren’s problems, has revived the debate about the possibility of the Red Bull driver competing for the title in 2025, despite having a disadvantage of 69 points. The weekend in Baku was contrasting for McLaren. Oscar Piastri suffered an accident in qualifying and on the first lap of the race, while Lando Norris seemed to miss key opportunities. The team also made mistakes in a crucial pit stop, which highlighted a complicated weekend for the team that has dominated much of the season.

“Definitely, Max is in the running for the drivers’ championship. We knew it and we confirmed it today,” said Andrea Stella, McLaren’s boss.

Andrea Stella

Despite the point difference, Verstappen has reduced Piastri’s lead by 35 points in the last two races. However, Verstappen himself is cautious. “There are still seven races left and 69 points. It’s a lot,” Verstappen commented. “Basically, everything has to go perfectly on my side, and I also need a bit of luck on their side, so it’s still very difficult.” Verstappen’s performance has generated admiring comments from his rivals, such as Fernando Alonso and Gabriel Bortoleto, who see him as a driver from another dimension. His aura, built in 2024 and for much of this season, makes him a contender who cannot be ruled out. McLaren’s fragility has also been exposed. The team did not react well to the pressure in Baku. The response of Piastri, Norris and McLaren in general will determine how the championship unfolds.

The two McLaren drivers didn’t show their best version in Baku. Piastri made uncharacteristic mistakes for a championship leader, while Norris didn’t take the opportunity to reduce the points gap. The reaction of both drivers and the team will be crucial in the next races. The next challenge for Verstappen will be the Singapore Grand Prix, a track where he has never won. If Red Bull achieves victory in Singapore, the idea that Verstappen can compete for the title will become more real. Verstappen has an advantage: he is unlikely to lose points to his teammate in the short term. The combination of Red Bull’s dominance and the competition between Piastri and Norris could open the way for Verstappen to close the gap in points. McLaren arrived in Azerbaijan hoping to secure the constructors’ championship, but now leaves with a shadow of Verstappen looming. Singapore will be a must-see race.

Verstappen calls Baku win ‘another incredible weekend’