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Max Verstappen finished second in Saturday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, the Caspian Sea capital of Azerbaijan, closing to within two-tenths of a second of race winner George Russell and signaling he could still emerge as a factor in this year's Formula One drivers' championship.
With at least seven races remaining, pending the confirmed running of the season-closing events in the Middle Eat, the four-time champion's pace in a resurgent Red Bull car has raised the possibility of a challenge to Mercedes' current dominance.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who holds a 66-point advantage, showed signs of vulnerability in Baku despite the cushion.
Verstappen recently signed a new contract, securing his future at Red Bull, and is driving a car that has improved rapidly this season.
He is chasing what would be his 72nd career victory, having not won a race since last season's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He risks finishing a season without a win for the first time since joining Red Bull 10 years ago.
With McLaren showing inconsistent form and Ferrari in recent decline, Verstappen and Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar could pose the main threat to Mercedes as the championship moves to Asia, with a Bahrain Grand Prix held in Malaysia followed by the Singapore Grand Prix.
Verstappen started the race eighth on the grid. "I was close, and it was fun," he said afterward. "For most of the race, we were on the wrong tyres because the medium, unfortunately, didn't work like a lot of people expected.
Once we swapped to the soft, you could see George and I were pulling away. Can we win a race? We'll keep trying, and we'll see what happens!"
Hadjar, returning from injury, finished third. "The car is great," he said. The car is great," he said. "This weekend it was the second-fastest. I took it easy to avoid the walls, and it was my comeback. I had the better grip, but honestly I was fine to sit behind Max. Third was my target, and I'm satisfied."
Red Bull's power unit, developed into one of the strongest on the grid, could play a role in the remaining races of the season.
Alpine team principal Flavio Briatore said he will take time to decide on next steps after a crash involving driver Franco Colapinto, who collided with teammate Pierre Gasly. Gasly's car then struck the McLaren of reigning world champion Lando Norris, eliminating all three drivers from the race and costing Alpine a significant points haul.
Norris called for a one-race ban for Colapinto. Race stewards instead issued a 10-second time penalty, which converts into a five-place grid drop for Colapinto at the next race.
"I feel very sorry for the team and for Pierre, and my apologies also go to Lando and McLaren for ruining their race," Briatore said. "I know that Franco has taken full responsibility for it, as he should.
He braked far too late considering the context of the race and the safety car restart. It was a very poor move for a driver of his experience. I want to take time to reflect and consider what action should be taken."
Colapinto retained his seat for this season despite past uncertainty, and Briatore is expected to weigh alternative options for the 2027 lineup.
Kimi Antonelli, 20, faces a test of composure as Mercedes teammate Russell increases the pressure heading into the final stretch of the season.
Antonelli's 66-point lead remains substantial, but Russell returned to winning form in Baku with his first career "grand slam," taking pole position, the fastest lap, and leading every lap of the race.
"I never lost faith in myself," Russell said after his eighth career win.
"Even in the tough moments. So I am confident, and I've been on the front row of the grid in three of the last four races and had three podiums. I can fight for victory now, week in and week out."
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