There’s one title that nobody can take away from Max Verstappen this season — that of the moral winner, the people’s champion. But when it comes to the actual Formula 1 World Championship, the story is quite different.
Max Verstappen too far from the McLarens?
While Lando Norris celebrates another triumph reminiscent of Sebastian Vettel’s glory days, Max Verstappen continues to fight tooth and nail, carving his way through the field with determination and fearless overtakes. Despite another impressive drive full of heart and aggression, the Dutchman saw his gap in the Drivers’ Championship increase yet again against his McLaren rival and close friend.
Max Verstappen has already admitted that he can no longer afford a single mistake — and in his view, the title battle was lost not in recent races, but much earlier in the season between Melbourne and Zandvoort. It’s a reflection shared by former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who, in an interview with PokerStrategy, explained why he believes Verstappen’s hopes of reclaiming the world crown are now almost gone.
Juan Pablo Montoya’s verdict
“I wouldn’t rule out Oscar Piastri yet,” said the Colombian. “He could still go to Las Vegas, win the race, and if Lando Norris retires, find himself leading the World Championship by a single point. It’s not over until it’s over, and we might still see a few surprises before the end. But the one who is definitely out of the fight is Max Verstappen. The points gap is simply too big, and it’s hard to believe that both McLarens will fail to finish in the last three races.”
Montoya also shared his thoughts on Max Verstappen’s current form — a topic that has divided fans and pundits alike. “Max is the people’s champion,” he said. “He’s the villain who refuses to be pushed around, and that’s exactly why fans relate to him. But by the time we reach Abu Dhabi, we’ll have a different world champion. In Brazil, the Virtual Safety Car worked in his favor, and he did an excellent job fighting through the field. His overtaking ability remains his greatest strength, but whether people like it or not, Lando Norris is beating him right now.”
Juan Pablo Montoya concluded by pointing out that Verstappen’s defeat cannot be blamed solely on car performance. “Lando drove a fantastic race, but even if McLaren has a strong car, that’s not the whole story. When Max was winning everything, he also had the best car — and now he’s seeing what it feels like to be on the other side.”
Leave a Reply