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Sebastian Vettel Record Max Verstappen Will Have to Match in Order to Win His 5th Title

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Binoy | Last updated Sep 23, 2025 1:24 AM ET

If there’s one thing Max Verstappen has proven over the past decade in Formula 1, it’s that you can never write him off. Just when it looked like his title hopes were slipping away, the four-time world champion has clawed his way back into the conversation with back-to-back wins in Monza and Baku.

Now sitting 69 points behind Oscar Piastri with seven races left, the challenge ahead is massive but not impossible. To make the dream of a fifth crown a reality, Verstappen will need to channel Sebastian Vettel’s legendary 2013 run, when the German stormed through the final races of the season to secure his fourth championship in style.

The record in question takes us back to 2013, when Sebastian Vettel went on one of the most dominant streaks in F1 history. In the final nine races of that season, he won every single one, sealing his fourth and final world title in the process. Max Verstappen now finds himself staring at a similar challenge.

In 2013, Sebastian Vettel won the final 9 races of the season with Red Bull
In 2025, Verstappen has won 2 in a row, with 7 races still to go pic.twitter.com/ddlheXL6L9
— Holiness (@F1BigData) September 21, 2025

He’s already bagged two wins in a row, with seven races left on the calendar. If he somehow manages to take all seven, he’ll clinch his fifth championship. Of course, that’s a massive “if.” Pulling off something like that isn’t just about raw talent though Max has plenty of that it also depends on reliability, strategy, and a little bit of luck going his way.

Singapore Grand Prix to Decide Max Verstappen’s Fate?

Max Verstappen isn’t letting the sudden buzz around a fifth world title get to his head just yet, even after Red Bull’s impressive turnaround. With back-to-back wins in Monza and Baku from pole, the Dutchman has slashed Oscar Piastri’s lead to 69 points, with Lando Norris still sitting between them in the standings. It’s been a huge step forward for Red Bull, who had slipped behind McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes earlier this season, but a new floor upgrade and better understanding of the car have changed the picture.

Still, Verstappen knows the gap is big. “Basically, everything has to be perfect on my side, and I’ll need a bit of luck from theirs,” he admitted, keeping expectations grounded. Team advisor Helmut Marko echoed the optimism but warned that Singapore will be the real test. Verstappen has never won there, and Red Bull’s struggles in hot, high-downforce conditions could expose weaknesses.

For now, Red Bull is just happy momentum is back, with even Yuki Tsunoda managing solid results in recent races. If Singapore goes well, Verstappen’s late title charge might actually be on—but until then, both driver and team are staying cautious.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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