From rivals to unexpected allies: Max Verstappen’s role in Lando Norris’ championship hopes. Max Verstappen’s recent victories have shaken up the 2025 Formula 1 title fight.

F1 | From rivals to allies: Verstappen could be decisive in Norris’ title chase

Max Verstappen’s recent performances may have given Lando Norris fresh hope in the Formula 1 world championship battle. The Dutch driver’s resurgence has changed the dynamics at the front of the grid, and his results could end up playing a decisive role in the outcome of the 2025 season.

The current campaign has so far been defined by McLaren’s overwhelming dominance. Up to the Dutch Grand Prix, the team in papaya colors had missed out on victory in only three of the first fifteen races. However, since the weekend in Monza, Max Verstappen has returned to form, winning back-to-back races at the Temple of Speed and in Baku. These consecutive triumphs allowed him to collect a significant haul of points and move closer to both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the drivers’ standings.

After the Dutch Grand Prix, the situation on track looked very different. At that stage, McLaren’s duo held a comfortable advantage over all rivals, including Verstappen. The Dutchman was trailing Lando Norris by 70 points, who sat second in the championship, and was 105 points behind leader Oscar Piastri.

The updated standings after Baku

Things changed dramatically after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Oscar Piastri still leads the standings, but Lando Norris managed to close the gap by six points to his teammate. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen has also reduced the deficit, now sitting just 44 points behind Norris and 69 behind Piastri. This shift has suddenly reopened the championship fight, with several scenarios still possible heading into the final stretch of the season.

The crash for car number 81, Oscar Piastri, in Baku, coupled with Verstappen’s two straight victories, has reignited speculation about the championship. While some believe the four-time world champion still has an outside chance of claiming a fifth crown, others see his role in the title race differently.

Ralf Schumacher’s perspective

Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher offered his own take on the situation, suggesting Verstappen’s return to competitiveness could actually help Norris in the fight against his teammate. He explained: “Lando sees a little light at the end of the tunnel again. Max is here now and can collect points, something that wasn’t happening before. That is very important in this situation. If Lando manages to deliver a strong race and Max finishes between him and Oscar Piastri, then he still has a very concrete chance.”

As the season enters its decisive phase, the presence of Verstappen at the sharp end of the grid could make all the difference. For Norris, having the Dutch driver act as a buffer between him and his McLaren teammate might prove essential in keeping his world championship dream alive.