Is the 2025 Formula 1 driver’s championship now a three-way title fight?
Max Verstappen, the four-time defending World Champion, appears to be making something of a comeback out of the latter half of the 2025 season. But will it be enough for him to hold on to his crown for another year? Maybe not if his luck in Singapore doesn’t change.
Currently, Australian Oscar Piastri leads the Driver’s Championship, followed by British Lando Norris. Verstappen trails the two drivers by 69 and 44 points, respectively. With only seven races left in the season, the numbers make the Dutchman’s title bid possible, yet not probable.
However, the 28-year-old is no stranger to shocking fans. With back-to-back unexpected pole conversions the past two race weekends, and coming in second during Saturday’s Marina Bay quali, he is certainly not handing the season over without a fight. George Russell is the only driver in front of him on the grid, and Singapore could be a make-or-break moment for Max.
In the past, Singapore has done Verstappen no favors. It remains the only track on the 2025 calendar where he has not previously won, with a total of three laps led and zero poles, adding to the enormity of the task in front of him. Verstappen also has a history of expressing his dislike for street circuits, citing the lower speeds and weight of the car as his primary reasons.
However, both of his main competitors in the title fight are also weary of the Singapore street circuit, with it being one of the most physically demanding on the body. The high speeds, extreme heat, and tight corners present a strenuous challenge for the drivers.
It is also important to note that while he may be starting in fifth, Lando Norris was the most recent driver to have won in Singapore. Additionally, Oscar Piastri will certainly have his eye on the back of Verstappen’s RedBull, having been third in the qualifying session.
Can Max secure the win at Singapore? And more importantly, can he bring home that fifth championship? Only time will tell, but it will almost certainly require a series of extraordinary performances.
