Wolff warns McLaren: Verstappen still a threat in title race

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Toto Wolff has weighed in on the championship storm that’s brewing after Max Verstappen’s back-to-back masterclasses in Monza and Baku.

The Mercedes team principal believes that while McLaren’s duo still hold the upper hand in the standings, the Red Bull ace has the tools to flip the script.

Wolff after Verstappen’s dominant win in Baku last weekend, urged caution when it comes to counting the Dutchman out of the title fight. With Red Bull rediscovering their groove, Wolff says the four-time world champion’s charge is very much alive.

“I think you always need to stay with your feet on the ground and be humble,” the Austrian told reporters.

“He's had a good run. The car is good. Max Verstappen, you always need to be wary of what he can achieve – especially if he realizes he's back in the picture.

“What's the gap? 69 points? That's a long way to go. Then everything has to go his way. But just one DNF for the championship leader and Max takes 25 points – things can change quickly."

Mercedes Capitalize in Constructors’ Fight

While the spotlight has been on Verstappen’s resurgence, Mercedes quietly pounced on Ferrari’s struggles in Baku.

A strong double finish – George Russell in second and young star Andrea Kimi Antonelli in fourth –propelled the Silver Arrows into second place in the Constructors’ Championship.

Mercedes now sit on 290 points, with Ferrari trailing by just four and Red Bull only 18 further back. It’s a razor-thin margin, one Wolff insists could still be decided by a single misstep.

"It's a tough battle," Wolff notes. "Yuki Tsunoda scored solid points [in Baku] and Max is a points machine anyway. Singapore is a completely different story," he says, already turning an eye to the next challenge.

"The circuit layout might not be all that different, but I have no doubt that Ferrari – after a somewhat weaker performance this weekend – and McLaren will be very strong there."

Read also:

Verstappen tempers title talk after Baku win: ‘I don’t rely on hope’

Verstappen’s back-to-back wins have reignited chatter about a late-season twist.

With Wolff himself acknowledging how quickly fortunes can swing in Formula 1, the McLaren camp may be looking nervously over their shoulders. And if Verstappen’s recent form is anything to go by, the chase could be far from over.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.