Daniil Kvyat explains why Max Verstappen holds a key advantage over Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in F1 title battle

Max Verstappen reminded everyone that he is still in the hunt for the 2025 title with his Emilia Romagna Grand Prix victory.

The Dutchman pulled off one of the best overtaking moves of his career on Oscar Piastri when negotiating Tamburello corner, wrestling his RB21 around the outside of the McLaren to take an early lead.

Verstappen would maintain the advantage thanks to a mid-race Virtual Safety Car that effectively gave him a free pit stop, and despite a late Safety Car allowing Lando Norris and Piastri to close the gap, he still showed relentless control over the McLarens.

Jacques Villeneuve compared Verstappen to Ayrton Senna, after he managed to close the gap to within 10 points of Norris in a car that has not been the quickest all season.

Verstappen is looking to equal Juan Manuel Fangio by taking a fifth title this year, and former F1 driver Daniil Kvyat believes he has one advantage over the favourites, McLaren, when speaking on the F1 Nation podcast.

Daniil Kvyat says Max Verstappen can get his ‘elbows out’ more in title battle

Anthony Davidson was ‘blown away’ by how Verstappen turned things around in Imola, having looked slower than McLaren in all the practice sessions leading up to the race.

The Dutchman has a habit of turning around his fortunes after Red Bull have done overnight simulator sessions. Verstappen has also been a lot more bullish on track, having tried a similar move at Turn 1 on Piastri in Saudi Arabia before being penalised.

Kvyat believes the Dutchman can afford to make more risky moves like this than McLaren, having come into the year with winning both championships on their mind.

“They are not far from McLaren when they put the car into the working window. The pole difference was only half a tenth, and also in the race, where the deg is low, I feel like Red Bull can be there with McLaren,” said Kvyat.

“Especially if McLaren is behind them, it’s not going to be easy. Of course, having not much to lose, they [Red Bull] can fight a bit harder and their elbows out against those guys.”

Max Verstappen could still win 2025 title

Verstappen is now within 10 points of Norris going into the European rounds, meaning he is still in the hunt for the Drivers’ Championship.

The Dutchman has been urged to let McLaren do one thing and let their drivers distract themselves while battling each other for race wins.

Verstappen could emulate Jackie Stewart, when the Scot won the 1978 title by effectively being consistent while Lotus teammates Ronnie Peterson and Emerson Fittipaldi took points off each other.

It will be an interesting dynamic for the team, with Mario Andretti fearing McLaren will need to decide early whether to back Norris or Piastri if Verstappen is still a threat.