Max Verstappen is now the bookies favourite to win the 2025 Formula 1 championship following his stunning United States Grand Prix victory on Sunday.
It had long been thought that this year’s title race would be between McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, ending Verstappen’s four-year dominance of the sport.
After the Dutch Grand Prix in August, the 28-year-old trailed Piastri by 104 points and had ruled himself out of championship contention, with the disappointing results leading Red Bull to sack Christian Horner.
But thanks to some impressive car upgrades and stunning performances behind-the-wheel, the Dutchman has won three of the subsequent four grand prix, including a perfect weekend in Austin where he triumphed in both the main race and the sprint.
Moreover, Piastri and Norris crashed out on the opening lap of the sprint, and while the Brit was able to finish second on Sunday, the championship leader floundered and crossed the line in fifth.
So, with just five grand prix left and 116 points up for grabs, Piastri is only 14 points ahead of Norris and 40 ahead of Verstappen.
Following this dramatic turnaround, Betfair now have the Red Bull ace and Piastri as the joint-favourites to win the title, but only slightly ahead of Norris.
Should he triumph, Verstappen would equal Michael Schumacher’s record of five consecutive drivers’ titles and smash his own record for the largest points deficit overturned to become champion (46, set in 2022).
But can he actually pull off one of the greatest comebacks in the sport’s history? Jamie Chadwick, three-time W series champion and Sky Sports pundit, believes it is possible.
‘I love the fact that he’s now really got the bit between his teeth to really try and make a charge,’ Chadwick told Metro in an exclusive interview prior to the United States Grand Prix.
‘I think it’s going to be very challenging without McLaren having a few bad weekends. But that said, it’s not impossible and if anyone’s going to do it, it’s going to be Max.
‘He’s driving at a level higher than most of the other drivers on the grid. Given the car that he has and to be able to drive that car to be in contention, is impressive in itself.
‘I’d love to see him take it to the McLarens, at least to the last round to see what he can do.’
2025 F1 drivers’ championship winner odds
The final five races of the 2025 F1 season
Mexico – October 26
Brazil* – November 9
Las Vegas – November 23
Qatar* – November 30
Abu Dhabi – December 7
*Sprint weekend
Verstappen will have a mental advantage over his rivals who are competing for their first championship and while McLaren have to cater to both of their drivers, Red Bull will as ever put all their resources into the Dutchman.
‘The chance is there [to win the title],’ he said after Austin.
‘We just need to try to deliver these weekends to the end of the year, so yeah, we’ll at least try whatever we can. It’s exciting, and I’m just very excited to the end.’
The F1 season continues this weekend with the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Genesis Magma Racing driver and Mobil 1 ambassador Jamie Chadwick was speaking to Metro ahead of the final round of the 2025 European Le Mans Series (ELMS).
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