F1: Why Verstappen’s comeback is shaking up the title fight
The Formula 1 drivers’ championship is wide open once again. Max Verstappen, fresh off a double victory in Austin, has slashed the gap to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in the 2025 F1 season. With five races and two Sprint events remaining, the Dutch driver sits just 40 points behind the leader. Verstappen’s string of strong results since the summer break has boosted his chances of clinching a fifth consecutive drivers’ title. According to former F1 world champion Damon Hill, there’s a clear reason behind Verstappen’s remarkable turnaround.
Verstappen’s path to victory
Damon Hill, the 1996 F1 world champion, shared his insights on the thrilling title battle between Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen in an interview with Racingnews365. Focusing on Verstappen, Hill explained: “He’s relaxed. He’s got nothing to lose. Don’t get me wrong, he wants another world championship. Then he’ll have five. This is a game of winning more, and he doesn’t have the same pressure as the other two.” For Hill, this relaxed mindset could be the key that has fueled Verstappen’s climb back up the standings.
Unlike McLaren, which has shifted its focus to preparing for the 2026 regulation changes, Red Bull continues to develop its 2025 car. The Milton Keynes-based team is still fine-tuning the RB21, while McLaren’s Woking outfit is already looking ahead to the major technical overhaul coming in 2026. Hill also highlighted the impact of the budget cap on the championship fight: “The budget cap has done its job. It’s really tightened things up toward the end of the season. In a way, it’s good regulation. It’s what we want.” This financial constraint has leveled the playing field, making the title race even more unpredictable.
Is Verstappen the favorite?
Is Damon Hill ready to bet on Verstappen as the next world champion? When asked about the odds, the former driver didn’t hesitate: “What are the odds? I’d put money on Max [Verstappen], wouldn’t I? Because the odds will be crazy. If you ask me who’s going to win, I don’t know. I’d just say that, if we’re talking about who’s the biggest threat, it’s Max [Verstappen].” Hill’s confidence in Verstappen underscores the Red Bull driver’s ability to thrive under pressure and capitalize on his experience, even as McLaren’s drivers push hard to secure their first championship. With the Mexico Grand Prix looming, Verstappen’s relaxed approach and Red Bull’s ongoing development could make him the man to beat in the final stretch of the 2025 season.
Leave a Reply