Max Verstappen’s recent victories in Italy and Azerbaijan have not only reaffirmed his status as a relentless competitor but also injected fresh intrigue into the 2025 Formula 1 title battle.

After comfortably converting pole position in Baku and capitalizing on McLaren’s misfortunes—including Oscar Piastri's first-lap crash and Lando Norris’s off-pace seventh-place finish—the Dutchman has trimmed his deficit to 69 points behind Piastri, and sits 44 points adrift of Norris with seven rounds to go.

The improved form is partially credited to Red Bull’s newly introduced floor and a suite of subtle adjustments, but Verstappen insists the package’s full measure will come at high-downforce circuits yet to be tested. 

A Realistic Outlook: “Everything Needs To Go Perfectly”

Despite the momentum shift, Verstappen remains adamant that the odds are still stacked against him. In interviews following Baku, he reiterated that championship success hinges not only on flawless execution from his side but also “a bit of luck from their side,” referencing the leading McLarens.

The reigning champion views the 69-point gap as substantial, requiring perfection at every turn and no margin for error across the final seven races. Verstappen’s trademark pragmatism was evident as he stressed he isn’t relying on hope but focusing on maximizing results one race at a time. 

Red Bull’s Revival and the Roadblocks Ahead

The competitive leap in recent events signals renewed hope within Red Bull, but Verstappen is quick to temper expectations with caution.

He attributes recent performance improvements to a better understanding of the car and success on low-downforce layouts like Monza and Baku. Looking ahead, Verstappen underscores that tougher challenges may lie in store as the calendar shifts to circuits demanding a different aerodynamic approach.

With McLaren’s vulnerability exposed in Baku and Piastri’s costly non-finish, the title arithmetic has taken on new complexity. Yet, Verstappen remains consistent with his approach: relentless effort, race by race, letting the standings play out naturally by the season finale in Abu Dhabi. 

As the season enters its decisive stages, Verstappen’s combination of realism and resolve will be crucial. He may need a perfect run to take the title fight down to the wire.