Mercedes F1 chief Toto Wolff declares ‘the ship has sailed’ for Max Verstappen | F1 | Sport

Toto Wolff has ruled Max Verstappen out of the 2025 Drivers’ Championship title fight, declaring ‘that ship had sailed’ despite the Dutchman’s memorable pit-lane to third performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Indeed, the 28-year-old now heads into the final three races of the 2025 campaign with a 49-point deficit to leader Lando Norris. While there remains a sprint weekend in Qatar, Verstappen would need DNFs for both of his World Championship rivals to claw his way back into contention.

Norris is now the runaway favourite to win the intra-team McLaren fight for a maiden F1 title. The Brit swept the Brazilian GP weekend, scoring both pole positions and winning both races to move 24 points clear of team-mate Oscar Piastri at the top of the standings.

According to Mercedes’ team principal, it is now a two-horse race. “That ship had sailed,” Wolff said. “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.”

McLaren have been in the firing line throughout the season for their perceived over-management of on-track battles between Norris and Piastri, but Wolff threw his support behind Andrea Stella’s fairness-first approach.

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

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While Wolff believes that Verstappen is too far back to mount a second comeback attempt of the season, Norris isn’t taking his significant points lead for granted. The Bristol-born driver refused to rule the reigning world champion out of contention when asked after his Brazilian GP triumph.

“I’m sure Max is going to be a threat in terms of races, and you never know with the championship,” he insisted. “So, it’s pointless trying to guess and come up with these things. With how quick he was, he would have won if he started higher up.

“But that’s racing. Not everyone puts it together, and it’s easy to make mistakes in the world that we live in. Max will be a threat because he always is. He’s always there, he’s always fighting, and I’m sure he’ll fight to the end. I look forward to it.”