Does the Four-Time World Champion Win at COTA Put Him Back in the Title Fight?
During Formula 1’s weekend in Austin, Texas, the four-time reigning World Champion, Max Verstappen, secured 55 points with his wins during the sprint and main race. The 2025 season has been dominated by McLaren, with their drivers sitting comfortably at the top of the driver standings. McLaren’s power, however, has seemed to plateau as they have not won the last four races, and Verstappen has claimed three of these wins. His recent success has shrunken the current leader, Oscar Piastri’s, lead to only 40 points. The energy in Austin reflected the excitement of the shift of momentum in the title fight.
Verstappen’s early-season results showed how Red Bull couldn’t keep up with McLaren. They have struggled to match McLaren's advanced design and speed, which has cost them the Constructors’ Championship for 2024 and now 2025. Verstappen has remained one of the strongest drivers on the grid, but has suffered a DNF in Austria and a 10th-place finish in Spain. Despite these mixed results, Verstappen has remained focused and never lost hope for a comeback. His determination to push through rough times shows his championship spirit, consistency, and determination.
From the beginning of the Circuit of the Americas, Verstappen performed strongly every time he got behind the wheel. He earned pole in both the sprint and regular race before winning them both. Verstappen came out on top because of his signature aggressive defending, calm nature, and technical skill. His dominating performance in Austin showed that Red Bull has the confidence to deliver strong performances for the final races of the season. His victories in Austin helped boost Red Bull’s team morale and reestablished their dominance in the sport
Only five races are remaining in the 2025 calendar season, and Verstappen is only a few points behind from his fifth consecutive World Championship title. The title fight is not over, and a comeback from Verstappen is a realistic scenario, especially with McLaren’s recent plateau. Verstappen has the mindset of a champion and is one of the best modern drivers in F1 history. He has the experience and skills to thrive under pressure and pull out an underdog victory. Verstappen’s win in Austin shows the championship fight is still on, and he is still a contender.
