Oscar Piastri has all but dismissed Max Verstappen’s chances in the 2025 Formula 1 title fight, pointing to the growing points gap as evidence that the Red Bull driver is no longer a serious threat.
Speaking after his commanding win at the Belgian Grand Prix, where he claimed his sixth victory of the season, the McLaren star highlighted Verstappen’s recent struggles. “Max is a top driver, no doubt, but with the way things are going, it’s tough to see him closing that deficit now,” Piastri said. “We’ve got the momentum, and it’s about keeping it that way.”
Piastri’s latest triumph at Spa-Francorchamps extended his lead in the drivers’ standings to 78 points over teammate Lando Norris, with Verstappen trailing even further back in third. The Dutchman’s weekend was mixed – he grabbed Sprint race glory but could only manage fifth in the main event, hampered by setup issues and a fierce battle with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
This season has seen McLaren dominate, securing their first constructors’ title since 1998, thanks in large part to Piastri’s consistent form. He’s notched wins in Miami, Spain, and now Belgium, while Verstappen has just three victories to his name amid Red Bull’s reliability woes and aero tweaks that haven’t quite hit the mark.
With 10 races left, including high-stakes stops in Singapore and Austin, Piastri remains focused on his own performance. “I’m not counting anyone out completely, but the numbers don’t lie,” he added. “It’s up to us to finish the job.”
Verstappen, for his part, brushed off the comments, insisting Red Bull’s upgrades could still turn things around. But as the grid heads to Zandvoort next, the pressure is mounting on the reigning champion to prove he’s still in the hunt.
Sources (click to expand):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Piastri,
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https://www.planetf1.com/news/oscar-piastri-news-max-verstappen-new-recruit,
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https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/04/oscar-piastri-wins-f1-miami-grand-prix-to-stretch-lead-in-title-race
