Can Max Verstappen Turn The F1 WDC Into A Three-Horse Race?

Formula 1 returns this weekend in Azerbaijan for the Baku Grand Prix – with the season still wide open for the World Drivers Championship.
Max Verstappen’s dominant win at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza last week has potentially blown the World Drivers Championship wide open – as the 4-time champion has crawled back into the title race contention. While McLaren’s Oscar Piastri leads the driver's standings – Verstappen is still way behind the title contenders however his dominant performance in Monza, where he beat Piastri by more than 19 seconds was a big statement win. With optimism growing from RedBull Racing faithful on a potential triple threat, Verstappen has only secured 3 race wins compared to Piastri who has won 7. SuperSportBet looks at the upcoming street circuit race in Baku this weekend.

F1 Form Guide

1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

Drivers’ Standings – 1st (324 Points)
Races Won – x7
Last Five Races – P3 (Monza), P1 (Zandvoort), P2 (Hungary), P1 (Spa) & P2 (Britain)
Despite a minor blimp at the Italian Grand Prix – the Australian remains the favorite for the World Drivers Championship as Piastri enjoys a healthy point between him and teammate Lando Norris. Piastri has been flawless in the 2025 season and has scored a podium in his last five races. Piastri will go into Baku looking for his second consecutive win in Azerbaijan after winning the race in 2024.

2. Lando Norris (McLaren)

Drivers’ Standings – 2nd (293 Points)
Races Won – x5
Last Five Races – P2 (Monza), DNF (Zandvoort), P1 (Hungary), P2 (Spa) & P1 (Britain)
Lando Norris will have to immediately impose his authority on his title credentials if he has any chance of catching up with teammate and title rival Piastri. Despite five race wins already this season Norris has been inconsistent compared to his Australian teammate with Norris only achieving a P2 finish in Monzo because of McLaren team orders. With only a few races left in the F1 season Norris will have to finish P1 in all races if he has any chance of winning his maiden F1 title.

3. Max Verstappen (RedBull Racing)

Drivers’ Standings – 3rd (230 Points)
Races Won – x3
Last Five Races – P1 (Monza), P2 (Zandvoort), P9 (Hungary), P4 (Spa) & P5 (British)
Four-time Verstappen has a chance to potentially turn the title race into a three-horse race with a win in Baku – and narrow the gap to McLaren. Max who is in a rich vein of form is still the dark horse and outside contender for the title – however his heroics in Italy and the upgrade packages to his car – indicated that Verstappen can never be counted out of the title contention.

McLaren On The Verge Of Winning Constructors Championship

McLaren can wrap up the Constructors Championship in Baku with a race win and another driver being on the podium. McLaren have won a total of 12 races so far and have obliterated the rest of the constructors as they sit comfortable on top of the standings. McLaren has 617 points with both Piastri and Norris achieving 27 podiums for the team this season.

Azerbaijan Grand Prix Schedule

Friday – FP1 & FP2
Saturday – FP3 and Qualifying
Sunday – Baku Grand Prix – 13:00

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