What Max Verstappen did in practice ahead of the US Grand Prix has convinced spectators that a title charge could be on with six races left.
Reigning F1 champion Verstappen, 28, currently trails the McLaren pairing of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris ahead of Sunday’s US Grand Prix in Austin.
The Red Bull driver sits on 273 points in third behind second-placed Norris with 314 points and championship leader Piastri on 336.
So far this term, four-time world champion Verstappen has managed nine podium finishes and four wins – at the Japan, Azerbaijan, Monza and Imola races.
Advert
And with just six races until the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, it appears that the likelihood of the Dutchman retaining his title is low.
However, in recent months, Verstappen has significantly reduced the gap between him and Piastri having found himself 104 points behind the Australian just four races ago.
As of October 18, he is just 63 behind.
And it appears that Verstappen will not give up his title without a fight.
On Friday, he beat Norris and Piastri to take pole for the sprint race at the US Grand Prix with a time of 1:32.143 – this was his tenth sprint pole position of his career.
But it was something that Verstappen did in practice, which has really got fans debating whether he can put together a late title charge.
Norris topped the timesheet during Friday’s practice session ahead of Nico Hulkenberg in second and Piastri in third, while Verstappen finished fifth behind Fernando Alonso in fourth.
A video has since emerged of the Red Bull driver on social media, causing some fans to suggest “he’s locking in like he has never locked in before”.
During the clip, Verstappen rolls out a white piece of paper before appearing to read data and instructions while sat in his car.
And supporters were quick to have their say on social media.
One said: "He smells McLaren blood and is aware of the internal Papaya nonsense going on....so why not take advantage of the situation?”
Another added: “There's no time to waste.”
A third claimed: “Max Verstappen’s 5th championship is closer every minute.”
While a fourth commented: "Max Verstappen 2025 world champion, I’m MANIFESTING IT.”
Max Verstappen on 2025 F1 title chances
Ahead of the US Grand Prix, Verstappen claimed that he has a "50/50" chance of winning the title this year.
"It's 50/50. Yeah, you either win it or you don't. I don't really think about it," said the Dutchman.
"[We go] race by race, you know, so we'll try to do our best here and then we'll move on and we'll see what we get."
Topics: Formula 1, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Red Bull Racing
Luke Davies