McLaren’s disqualification from the Las Vegas Grand Prix has thrown the title race wide open, with Max Verstappen suddenly back in striking distance of the championship lead.
The gap to Lando Norris now stands at just 24 points, a significant shift after Verstappen had fallen 42 points behind following the chequered flag on Sunday.
Plank wear has given Red Bull a golden opportunity for an historic Formula 1 comeback.
But they might need something else to overcome McLaren and Norris, according to the Dutchman.
Max Verstappen says Red Bull will need ‘luck’ to beat Lando Norris in the F1 title race
There is a 2026 exit clause in Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull, and depending on how the new regulations play out, he could look to use it if he is not happy with where the team stands.
But for now, his focus is firmly on 2025, and after the events in Vegas, chasing a fifth straight championship is very much back in play.
The next race in Qatar should suit McLaren far more than Vegas did, where Verstappen won by more than 20 seconds.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the Dutchman was clear-eyed about what needs to happen over the final two races.
“It depends a lot on how our car will perform in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi is a very good McLaren track, but we’ll see.
“It’s a very, very big gap. It’s also not something that will be easily overturned. We need a bit of luck for that, but we can still win races and we’ll try,” the 28-year-old stated.
Who has the edge in the F1 2025 title race now?
With Red Bull back in the picture, picking against Verstappen is becoming harder to justify.
Even with Norris still holding a 24-point advantage, it is not as simple as looking at the numbers. If he was struggling like his teammate Piastri, then maybe you could make the case.
But to suggest Norris will not make another podium while Verstappen sweeps both remaining races would be selling his season short.
Piastri looks to be fading and with Verstappen now level on points with him, he is likely the outsider, leaving Norris in control of his own fate at the front.
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