The 2025 Formula 1 season is unfolding with a surprising script, far exceeding all initial predictions. What many fans and experts once thought was a settled season, dominated by McLaren and its two talented young drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, has now turned into a fierce, breathtakingly dramatic battle. The focal point of this change is none other than Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, who has made a spectacular comeback, threatening to shatter McLaren’s dream of a first championship in years. Internal tensions at the British team are reaching a boiling point, and the developments in Singapore could be the decisive moment for the entire season.

The Astonishing Revival of Max Verstappen

After a difficult start to the season with subpar performances at Silverstone and Hungary, along with an unfortunate crash in Austria, many began to question the motivation of Max Verstappen and Red Bull. There was even speculation that the Dutch driver was already focusing on the 2026 season. However, everything changed in a flash. With a shift in technical leadership, particularly the role of Meckis, Red Bull found the right direction, making their car significantly more competitive.

Red Bull’s newfound strength was clearly demonstrated through Verstappen’s back-to-back victories at Monza and Baku. These wins not only brought in 25 valuable points each but, more importantly, created tremendous psychological momentum for the four-time reigning world champion. Monza, with its high speeds, and Baku, with its mix of speed and street circuit skills, were both races where Red Bull proved its superiority. As the video narrator stated at, “Monza and Baku gave Red Bull a momentum that is now scaring McLaren.” This revival has brought Verstappen, once considered out of the running, roaring back into the championship fight.

McLaren Struggles Under Pressure from the “Third Man”

While Verstappen is flying high, McLaren is beginning to show weaknesses under pressure. Oscar Piastri, the current championship leader, showed “cracks under pressure” in Baku. He made two critical mistakes in the same weekend: one in Q3 on Saturday and another on the first lap on Sunday. Although he was fortunate not to lose too many points to his teammate Lando Norris, these errors are an alarming signal. They show that even a prodigious talent like Piastri can be affected when facing the pressure of a championship fight.

Lando Norris also didn’t have a perfect weekend in Baku. He struggled in qualifying, and a slow pit stop dropped him to P8 during the second stint of the race instead of the planned P6. Despite closing the gap to Piastri by six points in Baku, the margin between the two McLaren teammates is still 25 points as they head to Singapore. However, with Verstappen’s return, the race is no longer a two-horse contest between Piastri and Norris. McLaren now faces an extremely dangerous “third man.”

Andrea Stella, McLaren’s Team Principal, bluntly admitted that they would be “fools” to think Max has given up on the title. He emphasized that there are still seven races and three sprint events to go, enough for everything to change. Toto Wolff’s comment is also noteworthy: “One more DNF of Piastri and the entire landscape changes drastically”. This adds even more pressure on Piastri, who must quickly “brush off” the terrible weekend in Baku and return to his winning ways.

The Three-Way Battle: Who Will Be the New King of F1?

With a maximum of 224 points still on the table, the biggest question now is whether Verstappen can overturn a 69-point deficit to Piastri. The numbers are very clear: Max needs to outscore Norris by six points and Piastri by 10 points in every remaining weekend to be crowned champion in 2025. This means his presence at the front will create immense pressure on both McLaren drivers.

If Verstappen consistently wins and Norris finishes second, while Piastri is third, Piastri would still lead Norris by one point, but they would both lose the title to Max. This scenario illustrates the complexity and tension of the race. Furthermore, we cannot rule out surprises from Ferrari or Mercedes, teams that could “share” points and influence the overall standings.

Verstappen is known as a driver who performs perfectly under pressure. We saw that in 2024 and 2021. The same cannot be said for Norris. Although Piastri is expected to “bounce back” after Baku, that weekend proved he is “a human being after all”. The question is whether Piastri can quickly overcome this shock to maintain his championship chances.

Singapore: The Decisive Test for Red Bull and Verstappen

The upcoming Singapore Grand Prix is considered a crucial test for Red Bull and Max Verstappen. Verstappen himself believes this race will provide an “objective view” as to whether he is truly back in the championship fight. He explained that the Singapore race depends on many factors, from how easy the car is to drive to the physical demands on the driver. If the car is good, the driver can relax more and it becomes less physically draining.

Singapore, with its winding street circuit, demands high downforce and, crucially, car reliability—historically not Red Bull’s strongest suit. If Verstappen proves to be highly competitive here, it will be a major warning sign for McLaren. Norris would have to face the reality that, to win the championship, he needs to finish ahead of Piastri in every single remaining race.

The Risk of “Civil War” at McLaren: A Hope for Red Bull?

Another factor that Verstappen and Red Bull are “betting on” is the risk of an intra-team clash between the two McLaren drivers. F1 history has shown that fierce teammate battles can cause “sparks to fly” and ruin a team’s championship hopes, a classic example being the 2016 season. Red Bull is hoping that the immense pressure will cause Piastri and Norris to make mistakes, or even collide with each other.

We still remember the incident between Piastri and Norris in Canada earlier this year. Piastri was very lucky to finish the race after a reckless move from Norris. Who can guarantee that one of them won’t try a similar maneuver, and the other won’t close the door, leading to a collision and a double DNF? The pressure McLaren is feeling right now is greater than ever and is entirely well-founded.

The Technical Power Behind Red Bull’s Resurgence

Red Bull’s comeback is not just due to Verstappen’s individual form but also to significant technical upgrades. In the last two races, Red Bull introduced a new floor in Monza and a new front wing in Baku. These upgrades have dramatically improved the car’s performance. Even Yuki Tsunoda of AlphaTauri (Red Bull’s sister team) achieved his career-best finish in Azerbaijan, crossing the line in P6, a clear testament to the effectiveness of Red Bull’s upgrade package.

Norris called Tsunoda’s performance a “clear indicator” that Red Bull is back in business. He even said he doesn’t understand anyone who believed the Austrian team was ever considered an “outsider” or a non-competitive team. Andrea Stella also praised Red Bull’s upgrades, saying Verstappen is “talking about grounding a lot more than usual”, which can only mean the aerodynamic package is now much better understood thanks to Verstappen’s deep feedback.

Stella stated firmly: “Red Bull is a very serious contender to win races and a very serious contender for the drivers’ championship”. With 224 points left, Verstappen’s return to contention is a “firm yes”. He reminded everyone that Max is a four-time world champion driving a fast car. McLaren may no longer enjoy a competitive advantage at all the remaining tracks.

Conclusion

The 2025 season is entering its final stage with an unexpected level of drama. The return of Max Verstappen and Red Bull has transformed a two-horse race into a tense three-way battle. McLaren is facing a dual challenge: fighting a formidable external rival while managing the pressure and risk of “civil war” between its two talented drivers. The upcoming Singapore Grand Prix will be a crucial milestone, a real test for Red Bull and a chance for McLaren to prove its mettle under pressure.

Can Verstappen complete the impossible task of overcoming a 69-point deficit in the remaining seven races and three sprint events? Can Piastri overcome his personal mistakes and hold onto his lead? Or will Lando Norris be the one to seize the opportunity and rise to the top? One thing is certain: the final races of the 2025 season will deliver top-tier action and breathtaking moments, keeping F1 fans around the world on the edge of their seats.