Particle.news
Download on the App Store
14 ARTICLES
·
21m ago

Verstappen’s Back-to-Back Wins Reignite F1 Title Fight, Prompting McLaren Strategy Calls

McLaren boss Andrea Stella warns the margin for error is smaller following Red Bull’s upgrade-led surge that has revived Verstappen’s challenge.

Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc (R) and Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton (C) compete during the Formula One Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit in Baku on September 21, 2025.
Image
Image
Max Verstappen

Overview

  • Oscar Piastri admitted he misjudged the start lights in Baku, triggering anti-stall before crashing on lap one after an earlier qualifying accident.
  • Stewards gave Piastri a five-second jump-start penalty, and an FIA statement indicated it will not carry over to Singapore.
  • Piastri still leads the championship by roughly 25 points over Lando Norris, with Max Verstappen now 69 points back after victories in Monza and Baku.
  • Sky analysis questioned whether Baku’s wind and setup made the McLaren MCL39 difficult to control, while McLaren characterized Piastri’s errors as a one-off learning weekend.
  • Former Haas chief Guenther Steiner urged McLaren to back Piastri to secure the drivers’ crown, as Red Bull’s Laurent Mekies said the team will push Verstappen’s late-season bid.