Verstappen’s title dream not over yet

November 13, 2025 Oliver Obel

Max Verstappen’s pursuit of a fifth consecutive Formula 1 world championship isn’t over yet — even as Lando Norris tightens his grip on the standings with just three races remaining in the 2025 season.

The Dutchman delivered another display of resilience at the Brazilian Grand Prix last Sunday, climbing from a pit-lane start to finish third despite an early puncture. But his fightback wasn’t enough to prevent Norris from extending his lead after yet another dominant performance for McLaren.

Norris in command

Norris’ seventh win of the season at Interlagos put him 24 points clear of team-mate Oscar Piastri and 49 ahead of Verstappen, according to the official FIA standings. With 83 points still available across the remaining rounds, Verstappen’s title hopes remain alive — but just barely.

Even a clean sweep of victories wouldn’t guarantee him the championship. He now needs both Norris and Piastri to falter if he’s to retain his crown.

After qualifying in Brazil, Verstappen tried to keep expectations realistic, telling Sky Sports F1, “We will still try everything we can until the end of the season to score some highlights and try to win races — that’s what we are here for.”

History offers a glimmer of hope

Formula 1’s past has produced its share of improbable comebacks. In 2007, Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen erased a 17-point gap to McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton in the final two races — back when a victory earned just 10 points. Two straight wins, combined with Hamilton’s misfortune, sealed Räikkönen’s lone world title.

For Verstappen, the path is similarly narrow. Even if Norris wins this weekend in Las Vegas, Verstappen could remain mathematically in contention by finishing second — a result that would leave him 56 points adrift with two race weekends to go.

The long-shot scenario

Next up is the Qatar Grand Prix, which features both a sprint and a full race. To stay alive, Verstappen would need to win both in Qatar and then triumph in Abu Dhabi.

For that miracle run to result in a fifth straight title, Norris could score no more than one point across the final two weekends. Should the Briton collect two points, both would finish level — but Norris would win on countback thanks to a greater number of second-place finishes.

It’s a long shot by any measure, but Formula 1 has a way of keeping the improbable within reach until the very end.

The numbers game

As noted by F1 analyst @F1GuyDan on X, Verstappen’s only realistic route involves perfection. He must sweep all remaining races and the Qatar sprint, while Norris earns 34 points or fewer and Piastri stays below 58.

That scenario would give Verstappen the maximum 83 points still available — but it would also require both McLarens to stumble significantly.

Right now, the advantage clearly rests with Norris, who stands on the brink of his first world championship. But if Verstappen has proved anything over the past four seasons, it’s that he tends to be at his most dangerous when his back’s against the wall.

Sources: FIA, Sky Sports F1, Formula1.com, @F1GuyDan/X