After catching up 64 points, Max Verstappen is back in the World Championship race – Formula 1 history shows how such comebacks work

Max Verstappen has made up a whopping 64 points on the World Championship leader in the last four races and is now back within striking distance in the World Championship battle. According to the Dutchman, “the opportunity is there. We have to deliver weekends like this until the end of the season.” He knows: “We have to be perfect until the end to have a chance.” While this shift in the balance of power seems spectacular, it is by no means unique in Formula 1 history.

Back in 1979, Alan Jones celebrated a late comeback. At that point, he was still 25 points behind, but with three wins in a row, he moved to within ten points of the lead. Or in 1991, when Nigel Mansell suddenly found himself at the front of the pack despite trailing by 33 points during the season. And in 2012, Sebastian Vettel turned a 39-point deficit into a 13-point lead – a perfect finale.

But despite these examples, Verstappen was by no means sitting pretty: he soberly emphasizes: “The gaps are very small. Every mistake can cost you everything.”

Historical role model: Alan Jones in 1979

The 1979 season is a prime example of how a team and driver can rise from under the radar to become title contenders. At the time, Jones was competing for Williams Grand Prix Engineering, which had just entered Formula 1 with its own car. In the first half of the season, Jones scored just seven points and was virtually out of contention, trailing by 25 points. But with his car, the FW07, he won three races in a row, reduced the gap to ten points and secured at least third place in the overall standings. Verstappen also senses this momentum: “We understood our car better and made upgrades that worked perfectly.” It doesn’t just sound like a comeback—it’s almost reminiscent of history.

Mansell in 1991 and Hakkinen in 2000: deficits as reality

It was not uncommon for major title fights to start with deficits. In 1991, Mansell was still in seventh place with only seven points with seven races to go. But with the new FW14, he won race after race and was suddenly in contention for the title—even though he was still 24 points behind Senna at the end. The situation was similar in 2000, when Mika Häkkinen suddenly took the lead after technical setbacks—until Ferrari struck back with Michael Schumacher at the end.

One of the most iconic comebacks was delivered by Sebastian Vettel in 2012. After trailing by 39 points, he scored four consecutive victories and ended up three points ahead of Fernando Alonso. At the time, strategy, consistency, and a car that was there when it mattered most helped him achieve this feat.

What does that mean for 2025?

With five races remaining, the battle is more open than ever. Verstappen is only 40 points behind Oscar Piastri – and has stated his intention to “avoid every mistake.” He says: “We’ve made up a lot of ground, but the gaps are very small.”

His team at Red Bull Racing is convinced: Helmut Marko believes that in this form, “it could still get really exciting” – and that with a three-point gap or eight points, nothing has been won yet. But he also knows: “If Max has the equipment, he is a very serious contender.”

History teaches us that deficits in Formula 1 are not the end – but often the beginning of a big final sprint. Whether Jones, Mansell, Häkkinen or Vettel – they have all shown that a strong car, a perfect weekend and mental strength can make all the difference.

Max Verstappen is now at exactly this point: 64 points caught up, close to Piastri—and with the will to deliver perfection every weekend. He says: “We’ve found a good way with the car… Now it’s about getting the maximum out of it week after week.”