Toto Wolff rules out Max Verstappen in 2025 F1 championship battle: “That ship has sailed”. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff ruled out Max Verstappen from the 2025 F1 championship fight.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has commented on the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship, asserting that Max Verstappen is no longer a contender, leaving Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to fight it out for the crown. With only three rounds remaining – Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi – Wolff expects the championship battle to be exclusively between the McLaren teammates.

Currently, Lando Norris leads Oscar Piastri by 24 points and holds a 49-point advantage over the four-time world champion Max Verstappen. Similarly, Piastri is 25 points ahead of Verstappen and is focused on closing the gap to Norris, who has been in excellent form in recent races.

The Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend could theoretically be Max Verstappen’s last chance to impact the championship. Historically, the circuit has proven challenging for McLaren, offering potential for surprises. However, Wolff is skeptical. Last year in Nevada, Max Verstappen finished fifth while Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri ended sixth and seventh respectively, showing no significant advantage over the McLaren duo.

Wolff’s perspective

After the Brazilian Grand Prix, where Norris claimed victory, Wolff was asked about the “Papaya Rules” and managing an internal team title fight. The Austrian team principal explained that McLaren has managed the situation well, letting their drivers race freely without expecting them to eliminate each other.

When asked how many points Max Verstappen was behind, Toto Wolff learned of Norris’ 49-point and Piastri’s 25-point lead. He then commented: “Ok, that ship has sailed.”

He added that he would let the McLaren drivers race but emphasized the importance of avoiding contact. The current gap is solid, but any DNF could shift the championship dramatically. From a fan’s perspective, he noted, it would be exciting to see the standings still close heading into the final race.

Wolff praised Norris’ recent performance, highlighting his composure and consistency in scoring points. While the internal tension in the team might rise, he concluded that, as team principal, it is his role to maintain control and keep the situation under management.