Max Verstappen Stuns McLaren as FIA Penalty Stalls Title Momentum
Max Verstappen once again reminded the Formula 1 world why he remains one of the most formidable competitors on the grid, with an astonishing comeback drive during the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix. Starting from the pit lane, the Dutchman clawed his way up the field to finish an impressive third at Interlagos, cementing his reputation as one of the most relentless racers in modern F1.
Despite his heroics, Verstappen’s remarkable recovery was not enough to prevent McLaren from tightening their grip on the championship. The reigning world champion fought valiantly to challenge the McLarens of Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli, but tyre degradation and a late-race balance issue meant he ultimately had to settle for third place. Norris claimed his seventh victory of the season, while Antonelli held on for second — another strong result for the Mercedes rookie.
The win allowed Norris to extend his lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 24 points over team-mate Oscar Piastri, who endured a frustrating race. Piastri crossed the line in fifth but was handed a 10-second penalty by the FIA for triggering a collision with Antonelli earlier in the race. The incident occurred when Piastri misjudged a braking point on the restart, clipping Antonelli’s rear tyre. The contact caused Antonelli to slide into Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, forcing the Monegasque driver into retirement after suffering terminal damage.
The penalty proved costly for Piastri, as it dropped him further behind Norris in the standings at a crucial stage of the season. With just a handful of races remaining, the internal McLaren title battle looks to be tilting firmly in Norris’s favour.
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s performance was one of sheer determination. After starting from the pit lane due to a parc fermé regulation breach and suffering an early puncture, he sliced through the pack with characteristic precision and aggression. His pace was formidable in the middle stint, and at one stage, it looked like he could challenge Antonelli for second. However, overheating tyres in the final laps forced him to back off, allowing the young Italian to retain his position.
Ferrari’s woes continued in Brazil, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both failing to score points. Hamilton’s race came to a premature end following contact with Franco Colapinto’s Alpine on lap one. The collision damaged his front wing and floor, forcing him to retire after limping back to the pits. Leclerc’s misfortune, caused by Piastri’s clash with Antonelli, compounded what has been a disappointing weekend for the Scuderia. Their double DNF allowed Mercedes and Red Bull to leapfrog Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship standings, further worsening the Maranello team’s struggles this season.
As the dust settled on a chaotic São Paulo weekend, McLaren emerged as the biggest winners. Norris’s consistency and race-winning form have put him in prime position to capture his maiden world title, while Verstappen’s podium finish has kept his slim championship hopes alive. The Dutchman now sits third in the standings with 341 points, trailing Piastri by 25 and Norris by 49.
The current F1 Drivers’ Championship table after the Brazilian Grand Prix stands as follows:
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 390 pts
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 366 pts
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 341 pts
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 276 pts
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 214 pts
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 148 pts
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 122 pts
- Alex Albon (Williams) – 73 pts
- Nico Hülkenberg (Kick Sauber) – 43 pts
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 43 pts
With McLaren’s continued dominance and Red Bull’s resurgence, the 2025 F1 season is shaping up for a thrilling conclusion. Verstappen may have been halted by circumstances and FIA penalties, but his defiant performance in São Paulo proves he is far from giving up the chase for a fifth world championship. The title fight is still alive — and with the next round looming, the pressure has never been higher.
