Max Verstappen Narrows Gap in F1 Championship Battle

AUSTIN, Texas – Max Verstappen continues to close in on Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the 2025 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship as the season heads into its final rounds. Following his recent victory at the United States Grand Prix, Verstappen has reduced the gap to championship leader Piastri to just 40 points, with Norris only 14 points behind in second place.

Verstappen, a four-time World Champion, expressed confidence after his Austin win, stating, “We just need to try to deliver these weekends to the end of the year, so yeah, we’ll at least try whatever we can.” If Verstappen can maintain his strong performance, the path to his fifth consecutive title remains open.

The title battle has intensified, especially since the return from the summer break, with Verstappen winning three of the last four races. He has a proven track record at the upcoming circuits, having secured multiple victories in Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.

Looking at potential scenarios, if Verstappen wins all remaining races and the two upcoming Sprint races, he would still need Piastri to finish second in each event to secure the title. In this case, Piastri would finish with 450 points, narrowly ahead of Verstappen by three points.

Piastri’s best performances this season include two Sprint victories in Qatar and a maximum finish of P8 in Mexico. Norris, who secured victory in last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and won the Sao Paulo Sprint in 2024, has historically fared well but still has yet to win in Mexico City, where he previously finished second.

Data from the past five races shows Piastri has averaged 12.4 points per weekend, while Norris has averaged 11.4 points. In contrast, Verstappen has averaged an impressive 23.8 points per race. If this trend continues, Verstappen would finish the season with 426 points, claiming the championship by 20 points over Piastri, while Norris would trail by 39.

<p“The championship remains highly competitive, and it’s fascinating to see how the final races will unfold,” Verstappen added, emphasizing the need for consistent finishes as the battle continues.

With the next race scheduled in Mexico City, every round carries critical implications for the title contenders. Piastri remains optimistic, saying, “I still fully believe that I can win the championship,” as he prepares to fend off the challenges from his rivals.