What F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali privately told Max Verstappen about his 2025 title chances

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Max Verstappen could be eliminated from the title race in 2025 at the Las Vegas Grand Prix if he fails to grab victory.

The Red Bull driver secured his fourth consecutive championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix in 2024. However, at this year’s race, he comes into it 49 points behind Lando Norris, and his title hunt could end this weekend.

But if it does, Verstappen still considers 2025 to be a ‘positive’ year. Red Bull have dramatically improved their development of the RB21 under the guidance of Laurent Mekies, which has kept the Dutchman in the title hunt up to this point.

The 28-year-old was struggling to score podiums, let alone race wins, in the first half of 2025 as he blasted Red Bull’s technical department for inconsistent upgrades. But with Mekies’ new approach, the team have turned a corner, with Verstappen finishing on the podium in the last seven races.

Stefano Domenicali told Max Verstappen that he ‘definitely’ still can win the 2025 championship

But with a 49-point gap to make up with three races and one Sprint race to go, it will be a tough challenge for the Red Bull star to clinch the title. In fact, Verstappen would pull off the greatest comeback in F1 history, having been 104 points behind Oscar Piastri after the Dutch GP.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali ‘definitely’ believes that Verstappen can still win the championship, as he revealed his private conversation with the Dutchman at the Brazilian GP.

He told De Telegraaf: “But if the history of this sport has shown one thing, it’s that anything is possible. And it’s not something I need to proclaim in my position. No, it’s simply a fact.

“I definitely think Max still has a chance at the world title. I told him that after the race in Brazil. There are three races to go, plus a sprint race. There are still plenty of points up for grabs. And if I didn’t believe it was possible, I wouldn’t say it to him.”

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

How Max Verstappen has an advantage at the Las Vegas Grand Prix

The Las Vegas GP has come at the right time for Verstappen and his hopes of winning the 2025 title. The track has always suited the 28-year-old, winning in 2023 and grabbing the 2024 title there.

Furthermore, Red Bull’s ‘very smart’ engine change in Brazil could be game-changing, as it will give Verstappen more power in Las Vegas. The team could afford to swap out his power unit after he only qualified P16 at Interlagos.

That could give Verstappen even more of an advantage over McLaren that he already had. The Woking outfit have never suited the cold temperatures at Las Vegas, having never scored a podium there.

Las Vegas is the worst race for McLaren, particularly for Piastri, who has not scored a podium since Monza. If the Aussie and championship leader Norris fail to finish in the top three, the door opens for Verstappen to take the title fight into Qatar.