Max Verstappen at the press conference after the United States GP - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Verstappen can 'rewrite' the 'improbable' in title battle

16:31, 23 Oct

byKada Sarkozi

Jonathan Wheatley believes Max Verstappen is capable of rewriting what’s considered possible in the fight for the world title.

"Is it probable? Not normally, but Max tends to rewrite rules to suit himself and has done his whole career."

- Jonathan Wheatley

The current Sauber team boss and former Red Bull Racing sporting director Wheatley believes Verstappen claiming the title remains possible.

Speaking to GPblog at the Circuit of the Americas after the race, the Brit commented: "As long as it's numerically possible, it's possible. That's it.

"Because they were also not competitive... they were competitive, of course, more competitive than we were in those races, but not as competitive as the McLaren.

"But the truth is, as long as it's numerically possible, and this is how we race, as long as it's numerically possible, then it's possible," Wheatley explained.

Wheatley in the paddock - Photo: Race Pictures

According to Wheatley, Verstappen has a history of redefining what’s possible.

He added: "Is it probable? Not normally, but Max tends to rewrite rules to suit himself and has done his whole career."

Wheatley also explained that Verstappen can "never be counted out" in the title battle against the two McLaren drivers. "If I was McLaren, I'd be looking in my rear-view mirrors," was his verdict.

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The championship battle is heating up

With five Grands Prix and two Sprints remaining in the 2025 season, Verstappen has worked his way back into the title battle since the summer break.

The Dutchman is 40 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, and 26 points behind Lando Norris after gaining important points last weekend at the United States Grand Prix.

This weekend, the season continues at a track where the five-time world champion has historically excelled — the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

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