Just a short time ago, Max Verstappen conceded that securing another victory this year seemed improbable, considering McLaren’s strong form and the prowess of its drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. However, the situation has shifted dramatically in recent weeks. The defending champion is now preparing for the Singapore Grand Prix with renewed vigor, fresh off two consecutive wins that have revitalized his championship aspirations and swung the momentum in his favor.
In contrast, McLaren departed from Azerbaijan grappling with the repercussions of squandered chances and significant errors. The team arrived with high expectations of advancing toward the Constructors’ Championship. Yet, the event in Baku highlighted several weaknesses.
Oscar Piastri’s race fell apart from the outset, starting with a qualifying crash that left him starting far back on the grid. A stall off the line dropped him even further, and his day was cut short after only a handful of turns due to yet another mishap. Lando Norris, who had a golden chance to close the gap to Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship, could only muster a lackluster eighth-place finish.
Verstappen seized the moment effectively. The Red Bull racer produced a flawless drive to take the win, trimming his points deficit to Piastri to 69 and pulling within 44 points of Norris. This outcome has completely transformed the championship narrative, making a fifth straight title for Verstappen a tangible possibility once more.
Still, the big question lingers: how substantial are Red Bull’s recent gains? Have they genuinely bridged the gap to McLaren’s pace, or are Piastri and Norris simply hitting a rough patch mid-season? Clarity on this might only emerge in the coming events, but it’s undeniable—Verstappen is right back in contention.
Despite the upturn, Verstappen keeps his expectations grounded, aware that the path forward won’t be easy. He understands that McLaren could soon return to its commanding ways on tracks that suit their car’s characteristics better. In post-race interviews, Verstappen admitted that achieving a serious title bid would require “everything to be perfect,” especially with only seven races left in the season.
“I don’t really think about it personally. I just take it one race at a time, like I’ve done all year—focusing on doing our best and grabbing as many points as possible. We’ll see where we stand after Abu Dhabi.”
“Pretty much everything has to go flawlessly for us, and I’ll need some fortune on their end too, so it’s still a real challenge. Right now, though, we’re thrilled with our efforts, and we’ll see how things play out in the next races on different track types.”
