This weekend in Brazil marks a pivotal moment in the Formula 1 championship, as a new McLaren driver ascends to the top of the standings for the first time in over six months.
With Red Bull’s Max Verstappen still a contender against McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the final weeks of the 2025 season, we address key questions as the championship tension escalates…
Current Championship Situation Before Brazil
After twenty race weekends, just four remain, and the gap in the Drivers’ Championship is tighter than ever this season. Following Norris’ dominant victory in Mexico, he has reclaimed the lead from Piastri, with just ONE POINT separating the two teammates.
Verstappen, the reigning champion, is also in the mix, having reduced his points deficit from 104 to 36 points over the last five events, marking his closest position to the leaders since May.
Who’s the Current Favorite?
The pre-season favorite has regained his top bet status as Norris leads the standings, with current odds favoring him over teammates Piastri and Verstappen, though the differences remain minimal.
Available Points Remaining
With a maximum of 116 points up for grabs in the remaining four races—Sao Paulo, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi—drivers can earn a total of 100 points in the main races and an additional 16 points in the final two sprint races scheduled for Brazil and Qatar.
Can Piastri Counter Norris’ Momentum?
One of the central questions as they head to Sao Paulo is whether Piastri can bounce back after losing his 189-day championship lead to a dominant Norris. He hasn’t won in five races and has struggled to finish ahead of either Norris or Verstappen since late August.
Piastri’s challenges have included a notable pace deficit to Norris during recent events, and with Interlagos’ circuit conditions different, he aims to regain his competitive edge.
Will Verstappen Prove His Worth in the Fight?
The 15 points Verstappen earned for his third-place finish in Mexico will be crucial in determining whether they mark a turning point or, given the circumstances, are insufficient for his championship aspirations.
To have a chance of securing his fifth title, Verstappen needs to consistently outperform both McLaren drivers, a task made even tougher given the upcoming track challenges.
Final Races: Who Holds the Advantage?
Predicting which driver will excel on the remaining circuits is complex, as much relies on teams optimizing their performance week by week. While McLaren expects to do well in Brazil, past performance indicates varying success on different tracks like Las Vegas.
With the title race remaining competitive and points still up for grabs, the results from the upcoming races will likely keep fans on the edge of their seats leading into the season finale.
