It had all regarded so rosy for .
When returned after the customary summer time break, the papaya-clad staff continued the place they left off, claiming a one-two end at ’s residence race, the Dutch Grand Prix.
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At that stage, it was thought of a decisive day on the planet championship. took a 34-point lead over after the Briton’s and, in what more and more appeared a two-way battle, was 104 factors away from Verstappen.
Max Verstappen (proper) is now stage with Oscar Piastri (left) within the standings (Getty Photos)
Simply seven races and three months on, in an , Verstappen is again level-pegging with the Australian and simply with two rounds remaining.
With all eyes on , we give a race-by-race breakdown of Verstappen’s comeback and why the momentum is totally with the Dutchman because the 2025 season concludes.
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Italian Grand Prix – Verstappen 1st, Norris 2nd, Piastri third
A race which noticed the primary indicators of ’s tempo upturn, Verstappen cruised to a dominant victory from pole place earlier than the dramatic flip of occasions behind him, with McLaren ordering Piastri to to Norris after a botched pit-stop. On the time, and much more so now, on the Australian.
Remarkably, this third-place end was Piastri’s final podium. Nonetheless, a Verstappen comeback regarded far-fetched.
Verstappen’s hole to Piastri: 94 factors
Piastri (proper) was informed to surrender second place for Lando Norris (left) in Monza (Getty)
Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Verstappen 1st, Norris seventh , Piastri DNF
That is the place Piastri’s collapse began. A weekend to neglect with a crash in qualifying, a false begin after which a useless crash into the barrier on lap one.
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Norris, most frustratingly for his supporters, with solely six factors made up on the Australian. Verstappen, in the meantime, oozed composure out in entrance as soon as once more.
Verstappen’s hole to Piastri: 69 factors
Singapore Grand Prix – Verstappen 2nd; Norris third; Piastri 4th
The primary audible indications of exasperation from the often unflappable Piastri. A between the 2 McLaren drivers – in an that Norris, from behind, wanted to go for – noticed the Briton exit flip three in entrance.
No stewards’ interference and, extra pertinently, no interference from the staff, regardless of Piastri’s protestations. “Are we cool with Lando simply barging me out the way in which?” he pleaded over staff radio. “That isn’t truthful.” One other vital point-swing in opposition to the Australian, on a weekend the place McLaren sealed the constructors’ championship.
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Verstappen’s hole to Piastri: 63 factors
Norris and Piastri collided in Singapore (Getty Photos)
US Grand Prix – Verstappen 1st; Norris 2nd; Piastri fifth (Dash: Verstappen 1st; Norris and Piastri DNF)
Verstappen’s most point-scoring weekend (and a primary admission that the title cost was on) was boosted additional by the McLarens ; this time, the beginning of the dash race noticed the pair conflict at flip one, with each pressured to retire.
Norris recovered nicely within the grand prix to understand second place forward of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with Piastri in no man’s land in fifth. In need of tempo, wanting confidence, the Australian’s . His result in Norris had been whittled right down to 14 factors.
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Verstappen’s hole to Piastri: 40 factors
Max Verstappen received the dash and grand prix in Austin (Getty)
Mexico Grand Prix – Norris 1st, Verstappen third, Piastri fifth
This was the race which triggered Norris’ : a well-polished pole place was adopted by a supreme race to the chequered flag, whereas Verstappen stood on the rostrum. Norris, impressively, was within the grandstands.
But the place his teammate had discovered an additional bounce in efficiency, Piastri was unable to string an sufficient lap collectively. Beginning down in eighth, he completed fifth – and had misplaced his championship lead, with Norris now forward by one level.
Verstappen’s hole to Piastri: 35 factors
Lando Norris received the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix (AP)
Sao Paulo Grand Prix – Norris 1st, Verstappen third, Piastri fifth (Dash: Norris 1st, Verstappen 4th, Piastri DNF)
Interlagos is the place the wheels actually got here off for Piastri, each figuratively and actually. A slide off the moist circuit into the wall noticed him endure one other point-less dash race, whereas a 10-second time penalty within the grand prix demoted him down the leaderboard. All in all, it was a nightmare.
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Norris, in the meantime, executed , stretching his championship result in 24 factors. Verstappen recovered from a pit-lane begin to end forward of Piastri on the rostrum, which informed its personal story.
Verstappen’s hole to Piastri: 25 factors
Piastri crashed out of the Brazil dash race (Getty Photos)
Las Vegas Grand Prix – Verstappen 1st, Norris and Piastri DSQ
A grand prix which concluded with Norris having one hand on the championship trophy was turned on its head just a few hours later, with information of McLaren’s .
For Verstappen (and Piastri), a reprieve. From a place of trying sure to complete third within the standings, the Dutchman is now firmly again within the hunt and – incredulously, given August’s positioning – is now stage with Piastri with two rounds to go. Each path Norris by 24 factors with 58 left to play for.
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Verstappen’s hole to Piastri: Stage
Qatar Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – ???
The Lusail Worldwide Circuit this weekend hosts the ultimate dash weekend of the season. So, with massive factors up for grabs, it’s Verstappen and Piastri’s ultimate alternative to make critical inroads into Norris’s 24-point benefit.
Excessive-speed corners and excessive tyre put on (with two pit-stops necessary) ought to favour Pink Bull’s automobile and Verstappen’s driving type. Can Piastri actually be anticipated to problem, having not completed greater than Verstappen since Zandvoort? Or can Norris declare his maiden crown earlier than the ultimate race in Abu Dhabi?
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If Norris concludes the dash race and grand prix with two extra factors than each of his opponents, he’ll seal the deal. Yet another level, with a grand prix win, and the title will even be his.
The rest and, for the primary time since that , we go right down to Abu Dhabi.
Norris (left) leads by 24 factors with 58 factors left to play for (Getty)
