Villeneuve Backs 'Genius' Verstappen for 'Greatest Achievement' in 2025 Title Bid

Former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Max Verstappen can still win the 2025 title, which he would consider Verstappen's "greatest achievement ever." Following back-to-back wins in Italy and Azerbaijan, Verstappen has narrowed the championship gap to Oscar Piastri to 69 points with seven races remaining, making a fifth consecutive title a realistic, albeit challenging, prospect.

Why it matters:

• A fifth consecutive F1 World Championship for Max Verstappen would be an extraordinary feat, especially given Red Bull Racing's earlier struggles this season. It would cement his status as one of the sport's all-time greats and underscore his unparalleled talent.
• This championship battle highlights the unpredictable nature of the current F1 season, where performance swings and unexpected results are common, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

The Details:

• Verstappen secured his fourth win of 2025 in Baku, marking his second consecutive victory after a triumph in Italy.
• Oscar Piastri's Lap 1 crash in Baku helped Verstappen significantly close the championship gap.
• Points Update: The gap between championship leader Piastri and Verstappen is now 69 points with seven races left.
  • Villeneuve considers this gap surmountable, stating, "He is only three races away, and that’s not as much as people think."
• Singapore Grand Prix Concern: Villeneuve expresses concern about the upcoming Singapore race, historically a challenging circuit for Red Bull.
  • "Even when the Red Bull was an incredible car, for some reason, that’s never been a good track for them."
  • However, he notes Red Bull's surprisingly strong performance in Zandvoort, suggesting this season's unpredictability could work in their favor.

Between the lines:

• Villeneuve heaps praise on Verstappen, calling him a "genius" who drives "like world champions should." He compares Verstappen's current performance level to F1 legends like Prost, Senna, Mansell, and Piquet.
• The 1997 world champion emphasizes that if Verstappen wins this title, it would be his most significant achievement, surpassing previous championships because Red Bull "were not supposed to be in the hunt" this year.
• Villeneuve firmly believes Verstappen is "easily the best of this generation without question."

What's next:

• The F1 paddock remains divided on Verstappen's championship chances, setting the stage for an intense conclusion to the season.
• All eyes will be on the upcoming races, particularly Singapore, to see if Red Bull can overcome its historical challenges at the street circuit and if Verstappen can continue his charge towards a historic fifth title.
• The championship battle is poised to be a thrilling one, potentially going down to the wire, showcasing Verstappen's ability to perform under immense pressure.