With four races still to go in the 2025 Formula 1 season, the Brazilian Grand Prix could already have a significant impact on the outcome of the world championship. According to former Formula 1 driver and Sky expert Ralf Schumacher, Max Verstappen has a challenging weekend ahead in Sao Paulo if he wants to keep his hopes of a fifth consecutive title alive.
The three-time world champion is currently 36 points behind championship leader Lando Norris after the McLaren driver’s triumph in Mexico, which returned him to the top of the standings for the first time in months. There has been a notable shift in momentum in recent weeks, and Schumacher believes that Verstappen might be losing out by not capitalising on recent opportunities.
“Next weekend is of great importance,” he said. “It would be advisable for him to close the gap now, and perhaps a little help would be beneficial.”
Norris’ resurgence
It is fair to say that Norris’ resurgence has come as something of a surprise to many.
It is interesting to note the reversal of fortunes that has occurred mid-season, which few would have predicted. Norris’s recent performances have unfortunately not been as strong as expected, which has led to speculation about his chances in the title fight.
A challenging run, including a retirement in Zandvoort that resulted in a 34-point deficit behind teammate Oscar Piastri, has contributed to these discussions. At that point, it appeared that Piastri might have had the potential to challenge Verstappen.
“We had initially thought it was mental issues, his inconsistency, and then the retirement, Piastri seemed to be pulling away,” Schumacher recalled.
However, it should be noted that the Formula 1 calendar is extensive, and there is potential for momentum to shift rapidly. Norris has shown signs of regaining his confidence and consistency at a crucial time, delivering strong performances that have contributed to McLaren’s position in both championships.
“With so many races, there’s still a lot of potential for things to unfold,” Schumacher observed, highlighting the inherent unpredictability of modern F1 seasons.
Verstappen’s hopes are pinned on Brazil
Despite his deficit, Schumacher insists Verstappen cannot be written off.
The Red Bull driver demonstrated moments of his characteristic excellence in Mexico, particularly during the second segment on softer tyres.
“The Red Bull wasn’t quite back to its old form in Mexico, but Verstappen showed great strength in the second stint,” Schumacher said. “In my humble opinion, he has the potential to succeed in Brazil.”
If they were to win in Sao Paulo, it could potentially keep the title race alive. The Interlagos circuit has often been a place where Verstappen has performed well, whose driving style, though perhaps somewhat aggressive, seems to suit the undulating track and unpredictable weather.
That said, another strong performance by McLaren could potentially influence the outcome of the title before the final flyaway rounds.
“If he were to finish behind the two McLaren drivers again, it could potentially have implications for his championship aspirations this weekend,” Schumacher pointed out. It is thought that the remaining tracks may present something of a challenge for Red Bull, particularly in the event of colder or uneven conditions.
Red Bull may be facing some challenges
The upcoming races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi each present their own unique challenges.
“The Red Bull tends to encounter some challenges on street circuits, particularly when the surface is uneven or temperatures drop in the evening,” Schumacher explained.
“In Las Vegas, it can get a little chilly in the evening, which might make it a bit tricky for the Red Bull to maintain the same level of grip, you know, the mechanical grip.”
Last season, Verstappen achieved fifth place in Las Vegas, a position he maintained despite being ahead of both McLaren drivers. However, Schumacher does express a degree of concern that the conditions this year may present more of a challenge.
“It worked brilliantly in Singapore; it was warm there, unlike in Mexico. Therefore, Las Vegas will be a tough one.”
This makes the Brazilian Grand Prix even more significant. Interlagos could present Verstappen with one of his final opportunities to capitalise on a track where Red Bull may still hold a competitive edge.
“On the remaining tracks, I see Red Bull as being on a par with us, if not stronger,” Schumacher said. “The key consideration will be whether Verstappen maintains his impeccable approach, or if he encounters an error, which has been rare so far.”
With a maximum of 33 points available from both the sprint and main race, it is possible that Sao Paulo could dramatically reshape the title picture. If he were to achieve a double victory, similar to his performance in Austin earlier this season, it could potentially reduce the deficit and maintain the championship battle as we head into the final rounds.
Russell/Verstappen war of words continues behind the scenes
MORE F1 NEWS – Hamilton pleads for time as the Maranello grains of sand run dry
Lewis Hamilton now has the worst ever record for a new driver joining the Ferrari team in 75 years of history. His much vaunted arrival in Maranello has gone incredibly sour as the former Mercedes six times world champion is running out of road.
The British driver’s racing statistics are plummeting as the world’s most winning F1 driver is suffering an end of career crisis. With just two Grand Prix wins in the last four seasons – one of those gifted to him by his team mate’s disqualification has seen Hamilton’s all time win to race start ratio collapse.
In his last 88 starts Lewis has just the two wins and so his career stats have collapsed from a nigh on a record 35% win rate to just 27.93% behind both Michael Schumacher (29.55%) and his arch rival Max Verstappen (29.69%) For the record Jim Clarke remains top of this list with a win ratio of 34.25%, although his 73 Grand Prix career was cut short by a tragic early death.
Worst record as a Ferrari driver
Hamilton now holds the worst ever record for a new Ferrari driver in terms of races before he claims his first podium for the Scuderia. The previous record of eighteen was held by ‘also ran; driver Diddier Pireoni now Hamilton is the latest Ferrari driver to sit in the shadows.
Meanwhile, without the advantage he had in the SF-25, Charles Leclerc has been making th best of a bad job in 2025. He has seven podiums after his triumph in Mexico and leads his champion team mate by 210-146. The Monegasque driver is 15-5 ahead in Grand Prix qualifying and has finished a whopping 17 times ahead of his most decorated team mate.
Yet Hamilton in his previous three years since losing out on a record eight F1 drivers’ championship has been a shadow of his former self, with George Russell beating him year in and out. Russel had one more win (although Lewis was gifted one) than Hamilton in their three years together at Mercedes, but in their final season together the statistics were crushing for Lewis…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
Thiago Treze is a Brazilian motorsport writer at TJ13 with a background in sports journalism and broadcast media, alongside an academic foundation in engineering with a focus on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This combination of technical knowledge and editorial experience allows Thiago to approach Formula 1 from both a performance and narrative perspective.
At TJ13, Treze covers driver performance, career developments, and key storylines across the Formula 1 grid, while also analysing the technical factors that influence competitiveness. This includes aerodynamic development trends, simulation-driven design approaches, and the engineering decisions that shape race weekend outcomes.
His reporting bridges the gap between human performance and machine development, helping readers understand how driver execution and technical innovation interact in modern Formula 1. Coverage often connects on-track events with the underlying engineering philosophies that define each team’s approach.
With a global perspective shaped by both journalism and technical study, Thiago also focuses on Formula 1’s international reach and the different ways the sport is experienced across regions.
Treze has a particular interest in how Computational Fluid Dynamics and aerodynamic modelling contribute to car performance, offering accessible explanations of complex technical concepts within Formula 1.
