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Max Verstappen has admitted that staying ahead in every race will be crucial if he hopes to close the narrowing championship gap as the Formula 1 season nears its dramatic conclusion. The Dutchman, currently sitting third in the standings, continues to chase McLaren’s dynamic duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who lead the points table after a dominant mid-season run.
Max Verstappen’s momentum and the road ahead
After securing three victories in the last five Grands Prix, Verstappen has reignited his title hopes. The Red Bull ace now trails leader Lando Norris by just 36 points — a challenging yet not insurmountable deficit with four rounds left in the 2025 campaign.
“We just try to do everything we can until the end,” Verstappen shared during Thursday’s media day at the São Paulo Grand Prix. “It's 36 points, still a decent gap. I think over the last few rounds we have done a very good job as a team, but of course if we want to close that down further we need to be ahead constantly now, and that I think will be a big challenge but we'll see. I'm just excited to be here and hopefully it will be a good weekend for us.”
Despite his strong form, Max Verstappen acknowledged that the championship fight remains unpredictable, emphasizing that performance will ultimately determine his fate.
A calm approach to the pressure
When pressed on whether the upcoming race in Brazil could be a make-or-break moment for his title ambitions, Verstappen maintained his characteristic composure.
“Maybe. We'll find out. I'm not really stressed about it,” he said. “I know if the car is good and fast enough to win, we'll do that. If it's not, then I think naturally at one point you're not in the fight anymore. We'll see how it progresses.”
Max Verstappen’s pragmatic outlook has defined his approach this season, balancing confidence with realism as Red Bull continues to refine their package against McLaren’s rapidly improving pace.
Interlagos: A track of memories and uncertainties
Interlagos holds a special place in Verstappen’s career — the scene of his spectacular 2024 victory, where he surged from P17 on the grid to clinch a famous win in wet conditions. However, the reigning champion knows that repeating such a feat won’t be easy.
“The last few races I think on average have been very decent, but of course if you want to win more we need to be more competitive,” Verstappen explained. “We'll see what we get.”
With rain in the forecast and the Sprint format returning, the weekend adds an extra layer of unpredictability. When asked if wet weather could play to his advantage, Verstappen remained cautious.
“In the rain, it's always very risky. It can work for you, it can work against you,” he said. “Also this season, I think in the wet McLaren has been very strong to control the overheating, for example on the intermediate tyres, so it's not a given that if it rains that suddenly we will be the ones to beat.”
As the championship tightens and the pressure mounts, Max Verstappen’s focus remains unwavering — deliver his best, stay consistent, and let the results fall where they may.
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