For months, the 2025 Formula 1 season has been viewed as an internal showdown between McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Yet, team principal Andrea Stella insists that dismissing Max Verstappen from the title fight would be a serious mistake.
After securing back-to-back wins, Verstappen has reignited Red Bull’s momentum, proving that the team’s post-Hungary struggles might have been only temporary. His dominant pace in Monza, where he outperformed both McLarens, signaled a clear resurgence for the Milton Keynes outfit.
Speaking on the matter, Stella noted: “Red Bull’s pace in Monza was not a track-specific anomaly. They introduced a new floor, and it seems to have unlocked the car’s potential. If they can sustain this form, they are undoubtedly strong contenders not just for race wins, but for the championship itself.”
Highlighting Verstappen’s presence, Stella added: “Let’s not forget—this is Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion for the past four years, and he still has a very fast car. At McLaren, we allow Lando and Oscar to chase their goals freely, but that means they will sometimes take points away from each other. That opens the door for Verstappen to capitalize.”
As the season heads into its final third, the battle between Norris and Piastri remains fascinating—but Verstappen and Red Bull may yet prove to be the decisive factor in the championship race.