Summer-Break Salvage! Verstappen's Turning Point To Slash Mammoth Lead And Set Up Grand stand Finish

Last Updated:December 01, 2025, 20:20 IST

Since the summer break, Verstappen has secured five race wins, while the rest of the field combined has managed only four.

Max Verstappen. (AP)

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen gave himself a chance for a fifth-straight title following his victory at the Losail Circuit in the Qatar Grand Prix, delaying McLaren star Lando Norris’ wait for his first World Championship title.

Since the summer break, Verstappen has secured five race wins, while the rest of the field combined has managed only four.

This season has seen Verstappen make an impressive comeback, narrowing Norris’ lead in the standings from a staggering 104 points after the Dutch Grand Prix to just 12 points. Initially, it seemed as though the Dutchman was completely out of contention for his fifth consecutive crown, but his strong performance in the latter half of the season has reignited the championship race.

Oscar Piastri, Norris’ teammate, finished second behind Verstappen, while Carlos Sainz of Williams took the final podium spot, with Norris ending up in fourth place.

With this victory, Verstappen’s total points for the season reached 396, while Norris leads the championship with 408 points. Piastri holds third place with 392 points, making the final race in Abu Dhabi pivotal.

Norris can clinch the championship if he finishes on the podium in the UAE’s capital. Meanwhile, Verstappen can secure his fifth consecutive title by winning the race, provided Norris does not finish in the top three. Piastri also has a slim chance of becoming the champion if he wins in Abu Dhabi and Norris finishes outside the top five.

Verstappen remarked after his victory in Qatar, “That was an incredible race for us. We made the right call as a team to box under the safety car and it was scrappy, but we got there in the end," with the title set to be decided at the crucial Abu Dhabi circuit.

News sports formula-one Summer-Break Salvage! Verstappen's Turning Point To Slash Mammoth Lead And Set Up Grand stand Finish

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