Just weeks ago, it seemed the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship was a two-horse race between McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. But after a dominant display in Austin, Max Verstappen has thrown himself back into contention—turning the title fight into a thrilling three-way battle as the season enters its final stretch.

The Dutchman delivered a flawless weekend at the Circuit of the Americas, sweeping both the Sprint and main Grand Prix, and claiming pole position for each. His reward? A significant cut into the championship deficit—now sitting just 40 points behind leader Piastri and 26 behind Norris.

Not long ago, after the Dutch Grand Prix following the summer break, Verstappen was buried 104 points behind. Since then, his relentless pace and Red Bull’s resurgence—under technical leadership from Laurent Mekies—have flipped the championship script. The Red Bull RB21, once under pressure, is now back to looking like a title-winning machine.

While Verstappen’s form has skyrocketed, McLaren has stumbled. The Woking-based outfit, which dominated much of the season and sealed the constructors’ title early, has struggled to maintain its early-season momentum. Recent races have exposed cracks in consistency, and with Verstappen closing fast, their advantage is vanishing.

With just five races remaining—Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi—the margin for error is almost non-existent. Two of those races include Sprint events, meaning more points are on the table and the pressure is at an all-time high.

The next two races, Mexico and Brazil, appear tailor-made for the MCL39. Both circuits offer medium-to-high-speed corners—an area where McLaren’s car thrives. The high temperatures expected in Mexico could also play into their hands, as McLaren has historically performed well in hotter climates this year.

Still, Austin was expected to suit them too, yet the team underperformed. Early retirements in the Sprint cost them valuable data, which may have hampered setup for Sunday’s race. While Piastri struggled throughout the GP, Norris managed to show strong pace once he got into clean air, especially after passing Leclerc.

Mexico will be a key test. With three full practice sessions, any shortcomings this time won’t be easily chalked up to lack of preparation.

Austin proved that Red Bull’s form isn’t limited to specialized tracks. Previously, Verstappen had excelled at setup-challenging venues like Monza, Baku, and Singapore. But to win convincingly on a more conventional layout—especially one where McLaren was favored—shows just how far Red Bull has come.

While Mexico and Brazil might theoretically benefit McLaren, Verstappen’s strong track record at both venues could tilt the balance. The team’s real ace in the hole, however, is Las Vegas. With its long straights and stop-start nature, it mirrors the characteristics of Baku and Monza—tracks where Verstappen has been untouchable.

Qatar and Abu Dhabi will likely offer neutral ground, with both cars closely matched in all-round performance. These final races may come down to driver execution more than outright car advantage.

With 141 points still available (125 from the five Grands Prix and 16 from Sprints), the championship is anything but settled. Red Bull may have the momentum, but McLaren remains a serious threat. Piastri and Norris continue to lead, but Verstappen’s recent form—bordering on perfection—makes him the most dangerous driver on the grid right now.

It’s no longer just a McLaren fight. It’s Verstappen versus the McLarens—and it’s going to the wire.

Photo: courtesy of Oracle Red Bull Racing