Max Verstappen is just THREE races away from turning F1 on its head

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F1 2025

Max Verstappen is just THREE races away from turning F1 on its head

Max Verstappen isn't out of the F1 title race

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Monday 21 July 2025 18:57

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Do not count Max Verstappen out of the F1 title race in 2025. Silverstone marked the halfway stage of the season, and for the four-time world champion the race could not have gone much worse.

A spin in the wet sent him tumbling down the order, when he could have produced another wet-weather masterclass to win against the odds over the McLarens.

In Red Bull’s current state, it is easy to declare Verstappen’s title race over; but in the next three races the Dutchman’s fortunes could transform.

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Verstappen is only 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri which, although unlikely, if McLaren get double DNFs at Belgium, Hungary and Netherlands, and Max wins every race, he will be top of the drivers' standings by six points – 14 should the same outcome happen in the Spa sprint race.

Even if this does not happen, it is likely Piastri and Lando Norris will continue to take points off each other so that neither driver builds an unassailable lead at the top of the standings.

Red Bull will also bring major upgrades to the Belgian Grand Prix according to Helmut Marko, in one last attempt to ensure Verstappen's place in the 2025 title fight.

There is plenty of opportunity for Verstappen to find himself back in championship contention, even if he does not achieve three races consecutive race victories. With 12 rounds remaining, and a fifth world title up for grabs, 69 points is nothing for the champion.

F1 2025 Drivers' Standings

Position	Driver	Team	Points
1	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	234
2	Lando Norris	McLaren	226
3	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	165
4	George Russell	Mercedes	147
5	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	119
6	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	103
7	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	63
8	Alex Albon	Williams	46
9	Nico Hulkenberg	Kick Sauber	37
10	Esteban Ocon	Haas	23
11	Isack Hadjar	Racing Bulls	21
12	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	20
13	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	19
14	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	16
15	Carlos Sainz	Williams	13
16	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	12
17	Yuki Tsunoda	Red Bull	10
18	Oliver Bearman	Haas	6
19	Gabriel Bortoleto	Kick Sauber	4
20	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	0
21	Jack Doohan	Alpine	0

F1 Constructors' Standings after 2025 British Grand Prix

Position	Team	Points
1	McLaren	460
2	Ferrari	222
3	Mercedes	210
4	Red Bull	172
5	Williams	59
6	Sauber	41
7	Racing Bulls	36
8	Aston Martin	36
9	Haas	29
10	Alpine	19

F1 HEADLINES: Red Bull chief gives Verstappen permission as Wolff admits meeting with star driver

Written by

Sheona Mountford - F1 Journalist

Sheona Mountford is a motorsport journalist specialising in F1. As a writer and contributor, she covers a wide range of motorsport series from F1 to F1 Academy, responsible for breaking news, live race coverage and in depth analysis of the sport and the culture around it.

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F1 Red Bull Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton McLaren Oscar Piastri