Why Max Verstappen "checked out" of 2025 F1 title fight after Dutch GP

The four-time F1 champion was 104 points off the top of the standings following the race in Zandvoort, but has since clawed the gap back to just 24 points ahead of the Qatar GP

Max Verstappen is still in contention for the 2025 Formula 1 world championship, despite admitting he “checked out” of the fight following the Dutch Grand Prix in August.

The Red Bull driver is currently an outside bet for a fifth, consecutive crown, as he is tied with Oscar Piastri in second and 24 points behind Lando Norris ahead of the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

It comes after a remarkable turnaround for Verstappen, who left Zandvoort 104 points behind erstwhile leader Piastri after finishing runner-up to the McLaren driver at his home event.

But Red Bull then brought upgrades the following weekend at Monza and Verstappen has since won four of seven grands prix, while Piastri has managed just one podium and no wins since the Dutch GP.

So, when asked in Qatar ahead of this weekend’s grand prix if he thought a title win was still possible after Zandvoort, Verstappen said: “No, personally not. After that race when I got home I was like ‘we're checked out of the championship’.

“But yeah after that we had a really good turnaround. We definitely understood the car a bit better - put upgrades on the car. So all in all that, together with probably some mistakes as well on the other side and us maximising quite a few results, meant that we are here.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Dom Gibbons / LAT Images via Getty Images

“I'm happy with it. I would have been a bit happier if we would have had a better first half. But that's how life is. You cannot turn back in time and then change it. But yeah overall now ‘til the end we'll just try and do the best we can.”

It is thought that in these situations Verstappen already has the upper hand, given he is a four-time world champion compared to the McLaren pair, who are fighting for their first.

“I will just do it my way,” said Verstappen, when asked if his experience in title fights will help him.

“For sure, it helps a little bit. If I look at myself at 21 and now, for example, yeah for sure having the experience helps in terms of how to approach a race week. Even if you say it doesn't, or it shouldn't help, it does help.

“But at the end of the day the most important [thing] is that you have a fast car. So that's what we have to do to make sure that we are faster than them or at least equalish and then with that, we still need a bit of luck.”

That is why Verstappen says he will approach the final two weekends with the same mindset of having nothing to lose, considering McLaren has led the fight all year.

Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images

“It doesn't matter if I'm behind or in front, you always approach it exactly the same,” the Dutchman added.

“I'm here to win and I know that I have to win or at least score a lot more points now until the end of the season. But yeah, I'm fine. It doesn't change anything. Would I like to keep the number one on the car? Yeah, for sure - it's the best number.

“I'm also not too stressed about it. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. It's not that I'm going to be crying in Abu Dhabi. So yeah, I'm relaxed.”