Can MAX VERSTAPPEN pull off the BIGGEST F1 COMEBACK EVER? | 2025 Austin GP

Where the championship stands after Austin

After two magnificent wins in Austin, Max Verstappen is suddenly a genuine threat to take the 2025 World Drivers Championship. He has closed the gap to the leader by 64 points in just four events, a swing you rarely see in modern Formula 1. It is not unheard of for big comebacks to happen, but the scale of this charge is eye-catching and puts real pressure on the current leaders.

Let us run the numbers the way I did at the track. Max is now 26 points behind Lando Norris and 40 points behind Oscar Piastri. If Max were to win all five remaining feature races plus the two sprint race wins, he would overtake Lando regardless of where Lando finished in those events. He would still be three points behind Oscar if Oscar finished second in every one of those races. But Oscar has not been on the podium for three rounds, so a return to his early-season form would be required for him to block Max completely.

That is the drama. There is a path, and while improbable, it is not impossible. Formula 1 thrives on these scenarios: the math is strict, but the sport is unpredictable. When momentum builds like this, nobody can rule out a run to the title.

McLaren’s wobble and the sprint race carnage

McLaren felt the sting of Austin. Both of their cars were wiped out during the sprint race, a cruel and costly turn of events. I was shooting from the photo window at turn one and captured some amazing images of cars briefly airborne. Incidents like that are rare and heartbreaking when they wipe out a team’s weekend.

There was also the surreal sight of drivers scootering back to the paddock. I heard the crowd behind me go crazy and looked up to see Lando on the back of a scooter, and sure enough Oscar was close behind. Racing weekends throw up odd little moments like that and they stay with you.

McLaren left the sprint with no points, and after Max’s feature race win, the gap closed dramatically. For McLaren the warning signs are flashing. Their pace early in the season looked convincing, but the championship is long and momentum can swing quickly.

What changed at Red Bull: Laurent Mekies and a new focus

The timing of Red Bull’s resurgence is notable. Much of the performance boost has come since Christian Horner’s departure and Laurent Mekies assuming responsibility. Mekies, an engineer by trade, made a few clear changes—one of the most important being how the engines were handled on Fridays. Historically, Red Bull ran the engines at about 80 percent on Fridays. Starting in Monza, under Mekies, they ran them at 100 percent.

On the surface it sounds small, but from an engineering standpoint it is a big shift. Running the engines harder on Friday means you start the weekend closer to a race setup, reducing the amount of catch-up work for Saturday and Sunday. Mekies was downplaying his role, but in reality he instigated some tangible changes that have paid performance dividends. Max credits him highly, and when you see the two talking in the garage, you can tell they are discussing engineering specifics rather than the broader managerial chatter that was more common in the past.

It begs the point that Red Bull under the previous regime may have become comfortable. Changing the focus back to engineering essentials has reawakened the team and produced results on track. Whether this is enough to sustain a title charge for Max, only the remaining rounds will tell, but the momentum is undeniable.

Christian Horner’s next moves and the paddock dinner

Christian Horner has been a consistent presence in F1 headlines even since leaving Red Bull. There are reports he has contacted several teams, keen to remain close to the sport, and he has the experience to be an attractive voice anywhere.

One late-night anecdote stands out. I heard that during a dinner hosted by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem with Zach Brown, a surprise guest turned up: Christian Horner. I can only imagine what was discussed around that table. Conversations like that—between team principals, ex-principals, and FIA figures—often set the tone for behind-the-scenes developments in F1. If Horner wants back in, you can bet he will remain influential and widely talked about.

Post-race press conference moments and on-camera branding

Some of the small, human moments are what I love about race weekends. Lando arrived at the post-race press conference absolutely spent. Someone offered him a sugary drink to give him a bump—a Sprite—and then the director asked that he not have branded products visible on camera. He ended up tucking the can between his legs and sipping when he was off-mic. It is not an official rule, just a production request, but it comes up frequently and can be a little awkward for drivers who genuinely need to rehydrate.

And on the subject of podiums, Carlos Sainz’s attendance on the podium was electric. The crowd loved him—every time he turned to acknowledge the fans they erupted again. The trophies themselves were striking: big bull heads with horns, very Texan and very memorable.

Photography notes, roller coaster in the background, and getting the shot through the fence

A new amusement park is being constructed near the track and for the first time since Sochi I had roller coasters in my background shots. They even tested a coaster over the weekend and Kimi Antonelli got a free ride. It’s a fun addition to the Austin visuals and gives some of the images a real carnival feel.

For photographers, one of the evergreen challenges is getting wide-angle shots through the fences. My mate Mario has a workaround when his 15-35mm lens is too large to pass through the fence holes: he removes the lens from the camera, pushes the front element through the fence, then screws his camera body back on from the other side. It looks awkward, but the results can be gorgeous—especially in the late afternoon when a shadow creeps across the track, roughly around 4:37 p.m.

Celebrities, VIP guests, and the Adele moment

Austin always attracts celebrities. Matthew McConaughey, Joe Rogan, Renée Zellweger, Jay Leno and the so-called Ferrari Pope were all in attendance. At one point two large security cars thundered past me and I thought someone important was exiting. I grabbed the camera only to be told no photos. Later I learned that Adele had arrived and spent time as McLaren’s guest in their garage. She has been to races before and her presence in the paddock always brings extra security and privacy considerations.

Culture, outfits, and the return of Western flair

Austin leans into a big Western theme and drivers and guests embraced it. Liam Lawson rocked cowboy hats most days, often doubling up in a single day. But the standout outfit for me was Pierre Gasly’s jacket on Friday; it genuinely looked like it belonged to the city and captured the spirit. George Russell’s partner came in a similar style and it turns out it was purchased in England, not locally, which surprised me.

There was also a bit of controversy resurfacing the debate about grid girls. Grid girls were phased out in 2018, but the Houston cheerleaders appeared in outfits similar to that older style. It is a sensitive topic for some and a nostalgic sight for others. The drivers’ parade vehicles were a sight too—twenty unique cars and two drivers decided to drive their own. That was George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, two who clearly wanted the wheel for the lap around the crowd.

Windy conditions, broadcast changes, and the Austin extension

Race day morning brought tricky wind. The ESPN signage behind the media center needed revisiting after gusts took their toll. Teams had factored in the wind and adjusted setups accordingly. It is one of those variables that can make a difference when the margins are small.

Off-track there was a huge broadcast story: Apple is taking over the US broadcast rights next year. That move will change how many fans access F1 coverage in the United States and, for some, may reduce subscription costs when balanced against current Apple and F1 TV subscriptions. Reports suggest Apple paid about 150,000,000, roughly 60,000,000 more than ESPN. Also notable was the confirmation that the Austin Grand Prix is extended until 2035. Austin sits third on the attendance records for 2024, behind Britain and Australia, and it remains a marquee event on the calendar.

Behind the scenes: staff, canteen, and small comforts

Race weekends are a team effort and I want to acknowledge the people who keep the paddock moving. I misplaced my laptop for a few hours after leaving it on a shuttle bus. It was a relief when a crew member found it in the back of the shuttle. The media canteen deserves a shout too. Fresh food makes a long weekend more bearable; for me an egg and cheese sandwich in the morning is a small comfort that gets me through.

And a small wardrobe note: Oscar Piastri’s relaxed outfits stood out. He turned up casual and comfortable, and the next day his coach Mark Webber showed up in a very similar look. They looked like twins, which is a light-hearted paddock moment you do not often get.

Can Max Verstappen still win the 2025 World Drivers Championship?

Yes. Mathematically Max can still win. He has closed the gap significantly and if he wins the remaining five feature races plus the two sprints he would leapfrog Lando and come within a few points of Oscar. However, this requires near-perfect results from Max and some setbacks or lower finishes from his rivals. It is unlikely but possible.

What changes helped Red Bull improve their performance?

A key change was how the team ran the engines on Fridays. Under Laurent Mekies they shifted from 80 percent to running engines at 100 percent on Fridays starting at Monza. That allowed them to start race weekends closer to a full-race setup and recover performance more quickly. Mekies also emphasized engineering-focused decisions that reduced complacency.

How did McLaren lose points at the Austin sprint?

Both McLaren cars were taken out in a collision during the sprint, leaving the team with zero points from that race. It was a significant setback for their championship hopes and opened the door for Max to close the gap rapidly.

Will the Apple broadcast deal affect American viewers?

Yes. Apple takes over US broadcast rights next year, paying around 150,000,000. For some viewers this could reduce subscription costs because it may remove the need for a separate F1 TV Pro subscription. The full distribution details will become clearer as Apple rolls out the coverage model.

Is Austin staying on the F1 calendar?

Yes. The Austin Grand Prix has been extended until 2035. It remains one of the most attended and atmospheric races in the championship, consistently drawing huge crowds and delivering a festival-like atmosphere around the circuit.

Final thoughts

The Austin weekend was a reminder that Formula 1 is never predictable. From Max’s charge to the strange scooter moments, the roller coaster backdrop, and celebrity guests, the event had everything. Red Bull’s resurgence under Laurent Mekies adds a fascinating subplot to the championship. McLaren must steady the ship, and Oscar Piastri needs to find the podium pace he showed earlier in the year if he is to close out the title fight.

There is plenty to play for, and the remaining rounds promise intensity, drama, and maybe one of the most remarkable comebacks in the sport’s modern era. Stay passionate.