Max Verstappen is aware that he needs more luck to surpass Lando Norris in the Formula One Drivers' Championship. He gained from McLaren's double disqualification at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Starting second, Verstappen overtook Norris at the first turn and secured an easy win. The disqualification of Norris and Oscar Piastri due to excessive skid-block wear further boosted Red Bull's chances.
Verstappen now shares second place in the standings with Piastri, both having 266 points. Norris leads by 24 points, but with 58 points still available in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the championship remains open. Verstappen acknowledged the challenge, stating, "It depends a lot on how our car will perform in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. " He added that while Abu Dhabi favours
McLaren, they need some luck to overturn the gap.
The Dutch driver has consistently reached the podium in all eight races since F1's summer break. This consistency has bolstered his hopes for a fifth consecutive drivers' title. Reflecting on his performance, Verstappen noted that this race was usually challenging for them due to tyre issues. However, he felt more control over the tyres this time, allowing him to push harder and extend his stint.
Verstappen explained, "Normally this race is a tough one for us. but today it seemed like we had it a bit more under control. " He appreciated how this allowed him to unlock more pace and split the race effectively. The car's improved performance was much to his liking, resulting in a significant lead by the end.
Jackpot secured #F1 || #LasVegasGP pic.twitter.com/dFvdzsUmnA
- Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) November 23, 2025
The upcoming Qatar Grand Prix is a sprint weekend. Norris can secure the title if he gains two points over both Piastri and Verstappen during this event. However, if Verstappen manages to claim all 33 points available next week, it will set up an exciting finale in Abu Dhabi.
The final race could echo Verstappen's memorable victory over Lewis Hamilton on the last lap in 2021 when he won his first championship. As the season nears its conclusion, every point becomes crucial for those vying for the top spot.
The competition remains fierce as teams prepare for Qatar and Abu Dhabi. With only two races left, strategies will be key in determining who ultimately claims the championship title this year.
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