Verstappen's F1 Title Hopes Reignited After McLaren Disqualifications

Max Verstappen's championship hopes have been dramatically revived following the double disqualification of McLaren in Las Vegas. What seemed like a lost cause is now a thrilling three-way battle with only two Grand Prix races and one Sprint remaining.

Why it matters:

After a commanding win in Las Vegas, Verstappen's championship odds improved significantly. The disqualification of both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri has reduced Norris's lead to just 24 points over Verstappen and Piastri, who are now tied. With 58 points still up for grabs, the title race is wide open, turning what seemed like a comfortable lead for Norris into a high-stakes showdown.

The details:

• Championship Standings: Lando Norris leads with 408 points, followed by Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen, both with 366 points.
• Points Remaining: A total of 58 points are available from the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix (GP + Sprint) and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (GP).
• Verstappen's Challenge: Verstappen cannot win the championship on his own merits, as Norris currently holds a match point in Qatar. However, any mishap or underperformance from Norris could bring Verstappen back into realistic contention.
• Verstappen's Mindset: Despite the sudden shift, Verstappen remains focused, stating, "I don't think about the title. I want to get the maximum out of every race." His pre-Las Vegas comment, "I need a bit of bad luck for my opponents for my title chance to be real," now seems almost prophetic.

A Possible Scenario:

For Verstappen to secure his fifth title, he needs to gain at least 24 points on Norris. Even if Verstappen wins all remaining events and Norris consistently finishes second, Verstappen would still be nine points short.

• Qatar Dominance: If Verstappen wins both the Sprint and the Grand Prix in Qatar, he could gain a maximum of 33 points.
• Norris's Performance: If Norris finishes directly behind Verstappen in both Qatar races, Verstappen would only close the gap by eight points, leaving him 16 points behind before Abu Dhabi.
• Abu Dhabi Decider: In this scenario, if Verstappen wins in Abu Dhabi, Norris would need to finish no worse than fifth to secure the championship.

What's next:

Verstappen and Red Bull must continue their flawless performance and hope for further issues from McLaren. The psychological impact of the disqualification on McLaren could be significant, as Norris had hoped to clinch the title in Qatar and now faces renewed pressure. Verstappen, however, remains calm, stating, "I want to get the maximum out of every race; everything else is out of my hands."

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 Race Results:

1. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:21:08.429 hrs.
2. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +23.546
3. Kimi Antonelli (I), Mercedes, +30.488
4. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +30.678
5. Carlos Sainz (E), Williams, +34.924
6. Isack Hadjar (F), Racing Bulls, +45.257
7. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Sauber, +51.134
8. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Ferrari, +59.369
9. Esteban Ocon (F), Haas, +1:00.635
10. Oliver Bearman (GB), Haas, +1:10.549
11. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +1:25.308 min
12. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1:26.974
13. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1:31.702
14. Liam Lawson (NZ), Red Bull Racing, +1 lap
15. Franco Colapinto (RA), Alpine, +1 lap

Retirements:

• Alex Albon (T), Williams
• Gabriel Bortoleto (BR), Sauber
• Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin

Disqualified:

• Lando Norris (GB), McLaren
• Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren

F1 World Championship Standings After 22 of 24 Races:

Drivers:

1. Norris 390 points
2. Piastri 366
3. Verstappen 366
4. Russell 294
5. Leclerc 226
6. Hamilton 152
7. Antonelli 137
8. Albon 73
9. Hadjar 51
10. Hülkenberg 49

Teams:

1. McLaren 756 points
2. Mercedes 431
3. Red Bull Racing 391
4. Ferrari 378
5. Williams 121
6. Racing Bulls 90
7. Haas 73
8. Aston Martin 72
9. Sauber 68
10. Alpine 22