Wolff dismisses Verstappen's title chances: ‘That ship has sailed’

The Formula 1 title fight has been whittled down to a McLaren showdown, according to Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who has boldly waved goodbye to Max Verstappen’s championship hopes.

With just three races left in the 2025 season, Wolff’s verdict is as clear as the Brazilian sunshine: Verstappen’s reign is all but over.

Verstappen’s relentless post-summer form – three wins and a string of podiums – had reignited faint hopes of a five-in-a-row title streak. But despite yet another heroic podium charge from the pit lane in São Paulo, the Dutchman’s deficit to Norris has grown to 49 points with just three races remaining.

For Wolff, that gap – barring exceptional circumstances – has become insurmountable.

“That ship had sailed,” Wolff told reporters in Brazil after last weekend’s event.

“I think just let them race, make no contact, but the gap that Lando has now is very, very solid. But he can’t afford a DNF either, because then it swings in the other direction.

“Obviously, from a spectator standpoint you would want to see that going into the last race, equal points or similar points, but [Norris] was impressive in the last few races, how he held the nerves and how he scored the points.”

The Mercedes boss praised Norris’s composure under mounting pressure, but he also hinted that the championship’s closing act could still deliver fireworks if reliability gremlins or on-track drama intervene.

McLaren’s Rivalry Under Control?

Wolff obviously knows a thing or two about handling an intra-team title fight – having steered Mercedes through its explosive Hamilton-Rosberg rivalry between 2014 and 2016.

With McLaren’s own pairing now separated by just 24 points, he believes team principal Andrea Stella is managing the delicate balance well.

“Absolutely, but as a team principal, you just need to hold the grip on it and not allow any shots from outside,” Wolff said.

“I think how they handle it is very good, letting them race. I don’t see a situation where they’re taking each other out.”

With Norris and Piastri set to slug it out in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the F1 world is bracing for a thrilling finale.

Verstappen may still have a mathematical shot, but in Wolff’s eyes, the championship is now a two-horse race – and McLaren’s drivers are the ones in the saddle.

Read also: ‘We’re not naive’: McLaren confident drivers' rivalry won't escalate

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