This might be a useful article for those who enjoy a sports dabble or two. Is it still possible for Verstappen to be the Formula 1 driver’s Champion in 2025? This question has been hanging over the F1 paddock for weeks. With only four races remaining in the 2025 season, Verstappen trails Lando Norris by 36 points in the Drivers’ Championship after the McLaren driver overtook his teammate, Oscar Piastri, to take the lead. With every circuit presenting its own challenges, it’s a tense run-in to the finale, and the title fight remains finely balanced. At the end of this article, you could be the one to work out how and how likely it is that the Dutchman will get a record-equalling fifth driver’s title when we share with you a useful online tool.

Formula 1 is one of the few sports where the venue itself can dramatically affect the outcome. A team’s dominance one weekend can evaporate the next due to changing track characteristics, temperatures or tyre demands. The Mexico City Grand Prix, held last weekend, was expected to be a strong performance from Verstappen, yet he could only manage third place. This result puts even more pressure on the Dutchman to perform well in the final races.

However, Jan Lammers, the sporting director of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, and Formula 2 driver Richard Verschoor both believe that Verstappen still has a fighting chance. Looking at the last four races, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, they can see ways in which he could make a comeback if Red Bull can perform consistently.

 

Brazil, 9 November

The first stop on the final tour is Brazil, at the iconic Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo. Interlagos has long been one of Verstappen’s strongest tracks, where his skill and racecraft often shine through. The Dutchman has already claimed three wins here, and fans still vividly remember his performance in 2016, when the teenage Verstappen produced one of the best wet-weather drives in modern Formula 1, carving through the field in torrential rain.

Verschoor points out that Brazil often brings out Verstappen’s best. “Many of his greatest moments happened in Brazil. There was the wet race in 2016, and last year he won from seventeenth position. Many thought Norris could still become champion, but Verstappen turned things around. It’s one of his favourite tracks.”

With overtaking opportunities abundant and rain always a possibility, Interlagos could well be the place for Verstappen to begin his fightback. A strong result here is essential if he is to close the 36-point deficit before heading to Las Vegas.

It is worth noting that Brazil will host the penultimate ‘Sprint’ race, which could provide vital additional points. Verstappen’s tally for sprint race victories is by far the best when compared to the rest of the grid.

Mexican GP: Marshall death?

 

Las Vegas, 23 November

The next race takes place on one of the newest and most unpredictable tracks on the calendar, from the atmosphere of São Paulo to the neon lights of Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Street Circuit made its debut in 2023, offering long straights and technical sections that reward efficiency and precision.

Verstappen won the inaugural event in 2023, when the RB19 was in a class of its own. However, he only finished fifth the following year, though crucially ahead of both McLarens, which secured his fourth world title.

Lammers notes that there is no obvious favourite for the Sin City race.

“Last year, Red Bull struggled here. It’s a different kind of circuit, where top speed is important. McLaren could perform well here, but given Red Bull’s current form, anything could happen.”

Indeed, the improved straight-line efficiency of the RB21 may work in Verstappen’s favour, though Norris’s confidence on street circuits could tip the odds the other way. With unpredictable conditions and the constant risk of a safety car, Vegas could be a pivotal moment in the battle for the title once again.

Mexican GP: Verstappen furious as Norris takes lead of championship

 

Qatar, 30 November

After Vegas comes the heat and intensity of the Qatar Grand Prix at the Lusail International Circuit. This track, known for its flowing corners and tyre management challenges, has provided mixed fortunes for Red Bull in recent years. McLaren were the favourites there last year, but Verstappen still won, showing his adaptability and ability to perform under pressure.

Verschoor expects McLaren to be competitive again. “Verstappen will have to excel again there,” he predicts.

The battle between Norris, Piastri and Verstappen could be especially fierce in Qatar, where an additional sprint race will be held. In both Brazil and Qatar, the top eight in the sprint will receive points, eight for the winner, seven for second place, and so on down to one point for eighth place.

Given that 25 points go to the Grand Prix winner and 18 to the runner-up, those sprint points could be decisive. If Verstappen can combine strong qualifying performances with his usual sprint race consistency, he could quickly catch up.

Update on Red Bull Driver Decision

 

Abu Dhabi, 7 December

The season will conclude under the floodlights of the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. This venue holds enormous significance for Verstappen, as his first world title was won here in 2021 after a dramatic final lap against Lewis Hamilton, a moment etched into Formula 1 history.

Between 2020 and 2023, Verstappen dominated this event, winning four times in succession. However, last year’s victory went to Norris, whose McLaren team was still in contention for the Constructors’ Championship, while Verstappen had already secured his fourth Drivers’ Championship title and finished sixth.

Verschoor believes that Abu Dhabi could once again play host to a championship decider.

“He obviously knows how to win a championship in Abu Dhabi. It would be fantastic if it remained exciting until the last race.”

The Yas Marina circuit, reprofiled in 2021 to facilitate overtaking, now offers a faster and more dynamic challenge. If the title fight goes down to the wire, Verstappen’s experience and ability to remain calm under pressure could be the deciding factor. However, with Norris and Piastri performing at their best and McLaren’s upgrades delivering strong pace, anything is possible.

Mexico GP: Marko contradicts Verstappen prediction

 

The points battle and how you can predict who wins the title

With four races remaining, a maximum of 116 points are still up for grabs when including sprint races. The distribution is as follows: 25 points for first place, 18 for second, 15 for third, 12 for fourth, 10 for fifth and so on down to one point for tenth place. Every lap, pit stop and strategy call could determine whether Verstappen makes an incredible comeback or Norris secures his first world title.

The upcoming weeks promise high drama and intense strategy from both teams. Verstappen must excel at every circuit to stand a chance, while McLaren must maintain their precision and composure to hold him off.

Fans can use this interactive tool to explore every possible outcome and test scenarios for the final four races of the season: F1 Championship Scenarios. Skip the maths, just drag and drop to see who takes the crown.

Update on Red Bull Driver Decision

 

MORE F1 NEWS – Piastri mystery leads to conspiracy theories

One race after the summer break, Oscar Piastri was on top of the Formula One world. He had broken the resistance of the current world champion and his team mate’s DNF in Zandvoort left him an almost unassailable 34 points clear of Lando Norris.

Given that McLaren had won twelve of the first fifteen Grand Prix, it was expected this form would continue with both drivers trading 1-2’s to the end of the season,. Meaning without a DNF for Piastri it would be the Australian who claimed his maiden F1 drivers’ championship.

Just four races later and the wheels have fallen from Oscar’s racing wagon. Crashes and false starts in Baku began his demise then in Singapore he was dominated by his team mate and failed to make the podium.

 

Piastri scrapes through to Q3

The US GP which is a low grip circuit proved tough for Piastri, again with him trailing Norris for most of there weekend finishing just fifth. Now in Mexica, where the grip is also low, the young McLaren driver has had a nightmare in qualifying and will start the race in seventh place, due to a one position promotion due to Carlos Sainz grid drop.

His only saving grace is Verstappen who looked the most dangerous in terms of the title challenge – and was the bookies favourite – is having a tough weekend of his own. He and the team failed to nail the ride height of his RB21 and he is set for a long and difficult afternoon trying to keep his tyres alive.

TJ13 predicted this would be a rough weekend for Oscar, although the gap to his team mate is remarkably large. Oscar had an extra practice session over Verstappen and Norris who gave their cars in FP1 to junior drivers. Yet despite the extra time to fine tune his setup, Piastri was 6/10ths behind his team mate in FP2 and roughly the same margin behind in FP3.

Come qualifying, Oscar almost missed out on Q3 such was his lack of performance, but he pipped Yuki Tsunoda by 0.079 seconds to survive although Q3 was to prove little better. His P8 classification (before grid drops) was again 0.6 seconds behind his pole…READ MORE ON THIS STORY