The Red Bull driver delivered a flawless weekend in Baku – pole position, fastest lap, and a lights-to-flag win – to notch back-to-back victories for the first time in 2025. With Oscar Piastri crashing out on the opening lap and Lando Norris salvaging only seventh, Verstappen’s result cut the gap to McLaren’s title contenders. Hope Not a StrategyDespite closing the gap, Verstappen was quick to play down the prospect of a fifth consecutive world title, stressing the scale of the task still facing him. “Now comes Singapore, the only race Verstappen has never won. But with momentum finally swinging his way, Baku may yet prove to be the turning point in a season that had once looked out of reach.