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Victor Petkov
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Max Verstappen could still win the F1 title, here is how
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The four-time world champion needs to average 10 points more than Oscar Piastri in all remaining races in order to jump on top

Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, where he’s never won in his career, Max Verstappen still faces a serious climb if he is to challenge for this year’s Formula 1 world championship, but recent performances suggest the fight may not be over yet, despite McLaren’s huge advantage at the top.

With seven main and three sprint races remaining, the Red Bull driver sits third in the standings — 44 points behind Lando Norris and 69 points adrift of leader Oscar Piastri. To claim a fifth consecutive crown, the 28-year-old would need to average 10 points more than Piastri in each race, with 199 points still available across the remainder of the season.

“I don’t rely on hope,” Verstappen said in the Azerbaijan post-race press conference. “I just go race by race, what I have been doing basically the whole season — just trying to do the best we can, try to score the most points that we can. And then after Abu Dhabi, we’ll know.”

Red Bull introduced an upgraded floor in Monza to help improve balance, and Verstappen responded with back-to-back victories in Italy and Azerbaijan. The gains could prove crucial against McLaren, whose form has wavered since the summer break. Norris retired in Zandvoort with an oil leak, Piastri crashed on the opening lap in Baku, and team orders in Monza created controversy within the garage.

Verstappen has four wins this season — Japan, both Italian rounds and Azerbaijan — plus a sprint victory in Belgium. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella acknowledged the Dutchman’s momentum after Baku: “Max is in the contention for the drivers’ championship. We knew it and we got confirmation today.”

History shows that comebacks are possible. Sebastian Vettel twice overturned late-season deficits against Fernando Alonso, most famously in 2012 when he clawed back 39 points with eight races left. In 2007, Kimi Räikkönen overcame a 17-point gap with two races remaining to snatch the title by a single point.