The 2025 Formula 1 championship fight is far from over. After the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Max Verstappen has put himself back into the title race. His win in Vegas and the dramatic disqualification of both McLaren drivers changed the standings and opened the door for a late comeback.
With only two rounds left in the season, the pressure is high, the points are tight, and the title is still mathematically possible for Verstappen.
Drivers’ Standings After the Las Vegas Grand Prix
| Position | Driver | Team | Points |
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 390 |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 366 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 366 |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | 294 |
| 5 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 226 |
| 6 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 152 |
| 7 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 137 |
| 8 | Alex Albon | Williams | 73 |
| 9 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls | 51 |
| 10 | Nico Hülkenberg | Kick Sauber | 49 |
Verstappen is currently 24 points behind championship leader Lando Norris.
How Many Points Are Still Available?
There are two race weekends left: the Qatar Grand Prix (which includes a sprint race) and the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
A total of 58 points are still available:
- Qatar Sprint: 8 points
- Qatar Grand Prix: 25 points
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: 25 points
Since Verstappen is only 24 points behind and 58 points remain, he still has a realistic chance to turn the standings around.
Also read: F1: Why did Norris and Piastri Disqualified from the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix?
How Verstappen Can Still Become World Champion
1. Win the Remaining Races
The simplest and strongest route is for Verstappen to win both the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races. If he also scores a sprint, he maximises his total. If Norris finishes outside podium positions in even one of these races, the points could swing in Verstappen’s favour.
2. Strong Qatar Sprint + Podiums
Because Qatar includes sprint points, a strong sprint performance can immediately put pressure on Norris. Even if Verstappen does not win every race, consistent podium finishes combined with a sprint win could close the gap.
3. Norris Drops Points
If Norris finishes lower than expected, suffers a penalty, mechanical issue, or a non-finish, Verstappen gains an advantage. With the gap still close, even a single bad race for Norris could be enough to shift the title lead.
4. Tiebreaker Situation
If Verstappen and Norris finish the season tied on points, the champion would be decided by the number of race wins. Verstappen would benefit from winning either one or both of the final races to strengthen his tiebreak position.
Key Factors That Will Decide the Title
Car Performance and Reliability: Mechanical failures or technical infringements can change the championship instantly, as seen in Las Vegas.
Strategy and Pit Stops: Teams must make smart tyre decisions and error-free pit stops, especially in Qatar where tyre wear is high.
Qualifying Results: Starting near the front increases the chances of a clean race and strong finishing position.
Pressure and Mental Strength: With the season almost over, every decision carries weight. Mistakes from either driver could be costly.
Conclusion
Max Verstappen is still very much in the fight for the 2025 Formula 1 championship. A 24-point gap with 58 points left means the title is not only mathematically possible, it is also realistic if Verstappen delivers strong performances in the final two rounds.
To win the championship, he needs consistent top results, ideally race wins, and he also needs Lando Norris to drop points. The final races are set to be intense, unpredictable, and full of pressure. The 2025 title race is not over, it is just beginning its final chapter.
Written by Kinjal Walantra