The Formula 1 title fight is entering its final stretch, and although Max Verstappen seemed out of contention just a few weeks ago, the three-time world champion is once again dreaming of a sporting miracle. The United States Grand Prix will kick off the final six rounds of the season, where the Red Bull driver will look to overturn a still daunting deficit against the mighty McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

The champion refuses to give up

Since returning from the summer break, Verstappen has rediscovered his most competitive form. Over the last four races, he has collected 86 points, surpassing Piastri (52) and Norris (39). This resurgence has put him back in the conversation for a fifth consecutive world title — an achievement that just two months ago seemed almost impossible.

Even so, his fate isn’t entirely in his own hands. With six race weekends left — three of them sprint weekends — there are still 174 points up for grabs, the maximum haul possible for the driver from Hasselt. But even if he were to win every remaining race and sprint, Piastri could still snatch the title by finishing second in all of them. To regain the lead, Verstappen must outscore his rival by an average of 10.5 points per race, a razor-thin margin that demands perfection — and a bit of luck.

When the calculator becomes the toughest rival

The Dutchman will need help from others to stay in the fight. The Mercedes Silver Arrows and Ferrari’s Prancing Horse could become key allies — as long as they manage to split the McLarens and Red Bulls in the upcoming races. Every point taken away from the Woking team’s drivers will be pure gold for Mad Max.

Tension within McLaren might also play in his favor. Back in Canada, Lando Norris and Piastri tangled in an incident that took the Brit out of the race, and in Singapore, another internal duel saw Norris steal three crucial points from his teammate. If a similar clash or double DNF happens again, Verstappen could close the gap significantly.

With six races remaining, the Red Bull driver isn’t just fighting his rivals — he’s fighting the math. He’ll need a flawless finish and a bit of chaos among his opponents. The odds are slim, but if Max Verstappen has proven anything, it’s that you can never count him out.