Formula 1 in Las Vegas
It could all be over for Verstappen on Sunday
November 22, 2025 – 12:18 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
The Dutchman is still fighting to defend his world title once again. He has to worry about the race in Las Vegas. The scenarios at a glance.
Max Verstappen has won four Formula 1 World Championships in a row since 2021, making him already one of the greats in the history of the “premier class” – but after years of dominance with Red Bull, the series of successes is now threatened with an end.
Because three races before the season finale, the Dutchman only has a slim chance of winning the world championship. This Sunday at the Grand Prix in Las Vegas (from 5 a.m. in the live ticker on t-online) it could all be over for Verstappen – and the three-way battle for the title could become a duel.
The 28-year-old is currently 49 points behind leader Lando Norris and 25 points behind Oscar Piastri (both McLaren). A total of 83 points are still up for grabs.
The initial situation at a glance:
Norris made his first mark in qualifying for the race, securing his seventh pole position of the season. But: Verstappen was right behind in second place. On Sunday morning German time, the two will start the race next to each other, slightly offset. If Norris scores at least nine points more than Verstappen in the gambling metropolis, defending his title will no longer be mathematically possible – Verstappen’s World Cup train would have finally left. He can’t afford a slip-up – that would be fatal for his title hopes.
The possible scenarios:
If Verstappen loses the title, the race for the world championship would focus entirely on Norris and Piastri. For both of them it would be the first major title of their careers. McLaren is now already confirmed as the winner of the constructors’ world championship.