Ralf Schumacher tells Max Verstappen ‘crucial factor’ in Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri title fight

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Max Verstappen has made full use of Red Bull’s recent upgrades to force his way back into the 2025 F1 drivers’ title fight with McLaren rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

The top three in the F1 drivers’ championship are now separated by only 36 points with four rounds of the season to go. It is the tightest that the trio have been atop the standings since they left the Monaco Grand Prix in May just 25 points apart after the first eight rounds of 24.

Norris leads the standings after 20 rounds having now eclipsed Piastri for the first time since April following his victory in the Mexico City Grand Prix. Like the Briton, Verstappen has now outscored Piastri across each of the last five rounds to destroy what was a 104-point deficit.

Ralf Schumacher warns Max Verstappen he must be ‘flawless’ to win the 2025 F1 title

While Verstappen doubted he would win another Grand Prix in 2025 after finishing P9 in the Hungarian Grand Prix, the tide quickly turned once Red Bull introduced floor and front wing upgrades. He has won three of the six Grands Prix since August’s Hungarian GP in round 14.

READ MORE: Our F1 experts predict the end of the 2025 season, including the drivers’ title

Verstappen won the F1 Sprint at COTA and he has also finished on the podium in each of the last six Grands Prix. It will now be “crucial” for the Dutchman to continue his “flawless style” if he is to deny McLaren drivers Norris and Piastri the F1 title, according to Ralf Schumacher.

Schumacher has told Sky Germany: “The Red Bull generally struggles a bit on street circuits, where the surface is uneven or where it gets chilly in the evenings. In Las Vegas, it gets chilly in the evenings, meaning grip – mechanical grip – is not quite as much for the Red Bull.

“However, it worked brilliantly in Singapore where it was warm, unlike in Mexico. Therefore, Las Vegas will be a tough one. On the other tracks, I see the Red Bull with Verstappen at least on par, if not stronger, [than the McLaren].

“The crucial factor will be whether Verstappen maintains his flawless style, or whether he makes a mistake, which has almost never happened so far. After Brazil, it will become clear whether he still has a chance.”

Max Verstappen will rarely be the clear favourite over Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the final rounds

F1 will regroup in Brazil for the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix on November 7-9, for round 21 of the season. Interlagos will also stage the penultimate F1 Sprint of the season, with the Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail on November 28-30 hosting the last of this term’s six 100km dashes.

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Between F1’s upcoming visits to Brazil and Qatar, Verstappen is expected to be the favourite to win the Las Vegas Grand Prix due to the Red Bull RB21’s superior straight-line speed. But Piastri will be the favourite at the Qatar GP, as Lusail suits him and also the McLaren MCL39.

Interlagos and Abu Dhabi may yet prove to be more level playing fields for McLaren and Red Bull, thanks to the latter continuing to develop Verstappen’s car while the former shifted the focus to F1’s 2026 regulations a while ago. But Verstappen cannot afford to drop any points.

Verstappen won the 2024 Sao Paulo GP from P17 on the grid to obliterate Norris’ slim hopes of winning the drivers’ title last season. A repeat outcome in 2025 would blow the title race wide open, but Verstappen will return to Brazil trailing Norris by 36 points and Piastri by 35.