TIMO GLOCK TELLS LANDO NORRIS AND OSCAR PIASTRI THE 'TEO' TEASONS WHY MAX VERSTAPPEN WILL WIN TITLE

Max Verstappen can win the F1 drivers’ championship for a fifth season in a row if the Red Bull star overturns his 36 and 35-point deficits to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Only Michael Schumacher has ever won the F1 drivers’ championship five years on the spin, having won the title each term with Ferrari from 2000 to 2004. Verstappen can now join the iconic German in the record books, having won the title each year with Red Bull since 2021.

Verstappen currently sits third in the standings with four rounds of the 2025 F1 season now remaining. But the 28-year-old reduced his deficit to first place during each of the past five rounds, having outscored Piastri in all five and only dropped points to Norris in Mexico City.

Red Bull star Verstappen had trailed Piastri by as much as 104 points following the McLaren man’s victory in the Dutch Grand Prix during round 15/24 in August. But the Dutchman won in Italy, Azerbaijan and the United States, plus he secured P2 in Singapore and P3 in Mexico.

Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

Timo Glock backs Max Verstappen’s mental strength and ability in ‘all conditions’ to win him the 2025 F1 title

Verstappen utilised Red Bull’s floor upgrade to win the Italian Grand Prix in round 16, and he has continued to benefit from his team’s subsequent front wing updates and revisions to the floor. McLaren stopped bringing updates a while ago to focus fully on F1’s 2026 regulations.

Now, with 116 points on offer over the Grands Prix in Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, plus the F1 Sprint events in Sao Paulo and Lusail, Timo Glock feels the title is Verstappen’s to lose. Verstappen is mentally stronger and better than Norris and Piastri in any circumstance.

Glock has told Sky Germany: “My tip for the drivers’ championship is Max Verstappen. Why? Because he is the strongest mentally and in all conditions.”

Ralf Schumacher also feels Verstappen may go on to deny Norris and Piastri the title, but he is less certain about the Red Bull ace’s chances. The former Williams man feels there will be a clearer picture of the title fight following the Sao Paulo Grand Prix and the Sprint in Brazil.

“It’s harder than ever to predict,” Schumacher said. “I think Brazil could be decisive. If Max can strike back there, then it will be incredibly exciting. I almost don’t dare say anything right now. Norris is in really good form, but Verstappen is waiting for his opportunity.”

Max Verstappen cannot win the 2025 F1 drivers’ title without Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri hitting trouble

While Verstappen may have Glock’s support, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc expects Norris or Piastri to win the 2025 F1 title. Leclerc had previously backed Piastri to win the title, but he is less convinced that the 24-year-old Australian will deny the 25-year-old Briton the crown.

Verstappen could need a lot to go in his favour to win the title this term, despite having now outscored Piastri by 69 points and Norris by 34 over the past five rounds. Norris can win the 2025 F1 drivers’ title if he finishes second to Verstappen in every remaining race this season.

Were Verstappen to win all four of the final Grands Prix and the two remaining Sprints, with Norris finishing second each time, the Red Bull racer would only reduce his current 36-point deficit to the McLaren ace to six points. Norris would win the title with 443 points over 437.

Similarly, Piastri can win the title by finishing second to Verstappen in each of the remaining Grands Prix and Sprints, to end the year on 442 points. So, Verstappen may need Norris and Piastri to take points out of each other, or for another driver to get involved, to win the title.

- Kyle Archer