Verstappen Narrows 2025 F1 Title Gap With Back-to-Back Wins Amid McLaren Lead

Max Verstappen’s 2025 Formula 1 season has seen a late surge in performance, with back-to-back wins at Monza and Azerbaijan helping him cut a significant points deficit to championship leader Oscar Piastri. Despite trailing Piastri by 69 points with seven races remaining, Verstappen and Red Bull have found renewed competitiveness, prompting McLaren team principal Andrea Stella to acknowledge Verstappen as a genuine title contender alongside McLaren drivers Piastri and Lando Norris. Verstappen himself remains cautious, focusing on a race-by-race approach and recognizing upcoming challenges such as the Singapore Grand Prix. While McLaren is close to securing the constructors' championship, their drivers have experienced mixed results, including Piastri’s crash in qualifying. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko expressed skepticism about Verstappen's realistic chances but noted improved team dynamics under new leadership. Overall, the championship fight is intensifying, with Verstappen’s momentum making the title race a three-way contest despite the sizable points gap.