Red Bull’s four-time world champion Max Verstappen has reignited his title challenge in the 2025 Formula 1 season with a dominant Grand Slam victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Dutchman controlled the weekend in flawless fashion, claiming pole position, leading every lap, and setting the fastest lap to clinch his fourth win of the campaign.
The triumph marked Verstappen’s sixth career Grand Slam, making him only the second driver after Lewis Hamilton to achieve the feat six times in Formula 1 history. With momentum swinging back in his favor, the big question now looms: Can Verstappen upset McLaren’s frontrunners and secure a fifth consecutive world championship to equal Michael Schumacher’s legendary record?
Challenges Verstappen Has Faced in 2025
While Verstappen’s career has been defined by relentless dominance, the 2025 F1 season has been far from smooth for the reigning champion.
- Leadership Shift at Red Bull Racing
The departure of long-time team principal Christian Horner left a significant void in Red Bull’s leadership structure. Horner was instrumental in guiding Verstappen through his four-title streak between 2021 and 2024, during which the Dutchman consistently secured more than 10 wins per season, including his record-breaking 19 victories in 2022. - Tyre Management Struggles
One of Verstappen’s biggest hurdles this year has been adapting to the performance window of the hard compound tyres. Across the opening 13 rounds, the Red Bull RB21 struggled with consistency on harder rubber, costing Verstappen valuable points. This rocky start made the 2025 campaign his toughest opening half since his championship run began. - McLaren and Mercedes Resurgence
McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have emerged as the fiercest rivals to Verstappen’s dominance. Combined with a stronger Mercedes package, Verstappen found himself trailing the title fight by as much as 100–200 points earlier in the season. - Lack of Teammate Support
Following the exit of Sergio Pérez, Verstappen has lacked a reliable wingman in the constructors’ fight. Teammate Yuki Tsunoda has struggled to deliver consistent top-10 finishes, leaving Verstappen to shoulder Red Bull’s title hopes alone.
The Path to a Fifth Consecutive World Title
Despite the obstacles, Verstappen remains a formidable contender for the 2025 F1 Drivers’ Championship. With 67 career Grand Prix victories and four world titles, the Dutchman now has the chance to equal Michael Schumacher’s record of five straight championships (2000–2004).
At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Verstappen demonstrated why he cannot be written off. He delivered a textbook drive: pole position on Saturday, flawless race pace on Sunday, and the fastest lap of 1:43.000. His execution was so clinical that he finished with a commanding gap to Mercedes, showing Red Bull still has the firepower to challenge McLaren.
With back-to-back victories in the last two rounds, Verstappen has cut the championship deficit to just 69 points behind Norris and Piastri with seven races remaining. Given his history of strong finishes in the latter half of the season—such as his 10-win haul in 2024—momentum is clearly shifting back in his favor.
Verstappen’s Reaction After Baku Masterclass
Speaking to F1.com after his win in Baku, Verstappen reflected on his weekend:
“It was an incredible weekend and today we had really good pace and it ended up being quite a straightforward race. Starting out in front today was key for us and we managed our tyres well. Our strategy was to go from Hards to Mediums and luckily there were no safety cars in the middle of the race which might have messed this up. This is a tough track with the layout and the winds, so you have to keep reminding yourself to keep out of the walls! But I was happy with the car, we executed everything well, and it has been a great weekend overall. The last two weekends for sure have been amazing. Hopefully we can continue with this form, but for now, we’re just enjoying the moment.”
Can Verstappen Equal Schumacher?
History suggests writing off Verstappen is a dangerous game. The Dutchman has consistently delivered when the pressure is at its peak. With seven rounds left in the 2025 Formula 1 calendar, the Red Bull ace still has every chance to overturn the deficit and seal his fifth consecutive championship—a feat that would place him alongside Michael Schumacher as one of the sport’s greatest dynasties.
As the title battle intensifies against McLaren and Mercedes, one thing is certain: Max Verstappen has no intention of relinquishing his crown without a fight.