Verstappen to beat Piastri to F1 title? Ex-McLaren junior gives call

The 40-year-old who spoke via outlet Viaplay stressed his confidence that the Red Bull Racing driver will clinch the drivers’ championship due to the competitiveness of his car. Van der Garde also explained that he expects the pressure of the championship fight to get to both Piastri and Norris, particularly with the 2025 campaign already in its final stretch.

Van der Garde, who raced for both Caterham and the Sauber team during his active years in Formula 1, also reiterated Verstappen has nothing to lose with seven races left on the calendar.

“Abu Dhabi, Mexico, Brazil, the United States... He's 69 points behind Piastri, which is a lot, but we mustn't forget that Lando and Oscar have never been world champions. So they, too, will have nervous moments. They, too, will make mistakes. They too will end up off the track. And Max? He has nothing to lose; he'll give it his all. Believe me: he'll become world champion.”

For Max Verstappen on his part, the four-time world champion has largely been tight-lipped on the possibility of clinching a fifth consecutive crown. Following the conclusion of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Red Bull Racing driver stressed how he will require several factors to go his way for him to consider himself in the title fight.

Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, also stressed his belief that the McLaren team are just a DNF away from Verstappen clinching the title.

With the gap atop the drivers’ standings having shrunk to 69 points, Verstappen will head to the next race in Singapore with the hope of clinching victory and further closing the gap to leader, Oscar Piastri