Max Verstappen Poised to Shake Up 2025 Title Race Amid McLaren Dominance
In a thrilling turn of events this season, racing expert Johnny Herbert has boldly asserted that Max Verstappen remains a formidable force in the Formula 1 championship, despite trailing significantly in the points standings. With 10 races still on the calendar, Verstappen finds himself an astonishing 97 points adrift of Oscar Piastri, the current points leader, after securing only two victories so far in 2025.
Herbert’s insights suggest that the reigning World Champion’s influence could be pivotal in the ongoing title fight, even if his own title aspirations appear bleak. “For the championship, yes, he’ll be in the mix,” Herbert stated, emphasizing that Verstappen’s presence on the track could disrupt the title hopes of both McLaren drivers. “He’ll be causing trouble for the others, and he’ll have an influence – because he’ll be taking points away potentially from the others.”
The Red Bull star is currently experiencing a concerning slump, having failed to reach the podium for four consecutive races. Meanwhile, the McLaren duo of Piastri and Lando Norris has been steadily increasing their lead at the front, making it increasingly unlikely that Verstappen will reclaim his championship title this year. However, Herbert believes that Verstappen could play the role of a crucial spoiler, potentially snatching points from his competitors as the season progresses.
While Herbert regards a catastrophic “implosion” within McLaren as improbable, he suggests that Verstappen’s consistent performance could force the team to rethink their strategies. “Max is just going to be in the mix and he’s going to be causing them to think in a slightly different way,” he noted, highlighting the psychological warfare at play as McLaren battles not only each other but also the tenacious Dutchman.
As the championship race intensifies, Herbert lauds the skill and resilience displayed by both Piastri and Norris. He believes that the ultimate deciding factor between the two will boil down to their mental fortitude. “It’s going to be down to the mentality of both of them,” he claimed, predicting that their youthfulness will only serve to enhance their capabilities as they continue to develop their racing skills.
Looking back at the legends of the sport, Herbert draws parallels between the current contenders and past greats like Lewis Hamilton, Ayrton Senna, and Michael Schumacher, all of whom thrived under pressure. “They have that wonderful ability to find a way of moving up every time the performance of the car gets better,” he explained.
As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on the battle for supremacy between McLaren’s Piastri and Norris, but don’t count Verstappen out just yet. He may not be in the championship race, but his potential to alter the course of the title fight could ignite the track and leave fans on the edge of their seats. The drama of Formula 1 has never been more palpable, and with Verstappen in the mix, the excitement is far from over!
