Max Verstappen has won the Formula One title for the last four years but it would be far from ‘more of the same’ if he snatches a record-equalling fifth in a row at the Abu Dhabi season finale on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Red Bull driver has come back from 104 points behind McLaren’s then-championship leader Oscar Piastri to 12 adrift of the Australian’s teammate Lando Norris, now the frontrunner, in a span of just eight races.

As far as comebacks go, it is the greatest of the modern era in terms of reclaiming lost ground.

It could also be one for the ages, eclipsed only by some of the most heroic underdog stories, like Niki Lauda’s return from a fiery crash to take the title down to the wire in 1976 before winning it in 1977.

“I think whether or not Max will win, it’s probably fair to say that the world discovered an even more extraordinary Max this season, after his fourth world title,” Verstappen’s Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies told reporters at the Yas Marina circuit on Friday.

“It’s up to you guys to say if… (2025) will become the best of his titles.

“But for sure, in terms of whatever happens next, the scale of the comeback is something that hopefully will go in a few history books.”

Stand equal with Schumacher

Regardless of where it ranks, the Dutchman’s quest to become only the second driver after Ferrari great Michael Schumacher to win five titles in a row stands in stark contrast to his four other title-winning campaigns.

Then, he was more hunted than hunter, if not dominant. Even in his hard-fought battle with Lewis Hamilton in 2021, Verstappen was chased down by the Briton who drew level with him on points heading into the Abu Dhabi finale.

This year, however, he has had to fight off the back foot — overcoming an initially uncompetitive car and navigating a Red Bull leadership reshuffle that had Christian Horner ousted as team boss.

At the same time, he has balanced his F1 responsibilities with his role as father to a baby daughter, born in May, and extracurricular pursuits like GT racing, even winning on his GT3 debut around German track Nuerburgring’s fearsome Nordschleife loop.

Five of Verstappen’s seven wins have come in the last eight races, all of which he has finished on the podium.

Misfortune for his McLaren rivals has also worked in his favour. But equally, every bit of his trademark tenacity and determination has been on display, as he has hunted down the McLaren pair.

Born in Belgium to an F1 racer father Jos and top-level go-karter mother Sophie Kumpen, Verstappen has been on wheels as soon as he could walk.

His speed has never been in question. But this year it has been mated to a newfound maturity and a calm confidence, making him an even more formidable competitor.

“Max is not an easy four-time world champion to knock off his perch,” said McLaren chief executive Zak Brown on Friday.

“Arguably, definitely, one of the greatest ever. It’s awesome racing against Max,” added the American.

Verstappen still needs Norris to finish off the podium on Sunday to seal the title, even if he races to a fifth Abu Dhabi win.

But if anyone can spring an upset, Verstappen can.

“Look, this guy never gets it wrong, you know, Max just never does a mistake,” said Mekies.

“He keeps surprising us every day.”

Wrianna Hudson scored in the second half and Kate Ockene made it stand up with a save in the final second as Florida State edged TCU 1-0 on Friday in the semifinals of the Women’s College Cup at CPKC Stadium.

Florida State (19-2-4), a No. 3 seed, will play Stanford, the only No. 1 seed to reach the semis, for the championship on Monday. The Seminoles will be aiming for their fifth title overall and their third in the past five seasons after winning in 2021 and 2023. Stanford beat Duke 1-0 to advance.

Hudson used assists from Peyton McGovern and Sophia Nguyen to score in the 73rd minute and give Florida State the lead.

Ockene turned away a 1-on-1 shot by Seven Castain to end it. Ockene’s other save came on a shot by Sydney Becerra four minutes into the first half.

Olivia Geller finished with seven saves for TCU — four in the second half.

It will be an all-Atlantic Coast Conference final. The ACC has been represented in all 44 semifinals. This is the fourth straight season the conference has had multiple teams advance to the semis.

Florida State, which has won nine in a row, is making its 15th appearance, trailing only the 32 of 22-time champion North Carolina. The Seminoles eliminated the defending-champion Tar Heels to reach the semis, beating them 4-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie in regulation.

TCU (19-3-2) set a school record for victories and beat top-seeded Vanderbilt 2-1 to advance to its first semifinal.

Stanford 1, Duke 0

Jasmine Aikey scored early in the first half and that was all Stanford goalkeeper Caroline Birkel needed as the Cardinal eliminated Duke at CPKC Stadium in the nightcap of the College Cup semifinals.

Aikey sent a curling shot from the left corner of the box past Duke keeper Caroline Dysart at 9:02 and the Cardinal defense did the rest. It was the first goal allowed by Dysart, who had posted four straight clean sheets in the tournament. She finished with three saves for the Blue Devils (17-5-1) in the all-ACC semifinal.

Birkel finished with two saves for the Cardinal, who are aiming for their fourth title — last winning in 2019. It is their 13th appearance and 10th semifinal. Stanford beat No. 2 seed Michigan State 5-1 in the quarterfinals.

Stanford entered play with 95 goals on the season, 24 more than anyone else. The Cardinal upped their unbeaten streak to 17 and they’ve outscored their opponents 22-5 through five tournament victories. Their 21 goals through four matches was a tournament record.

No. 2 seed Duke made the semifinals for a second straight season still looking for its first championship. Blue Devils coach Kieran Hall is one of only three coaches to reach the semis in her first season. Duke finished as the runners-up in three of their previous five Cup appearances.

Duke advanced with a 3-0 victory over Washington in the quarterfinals.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Friday’s “SmackDown” emphasized that the rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre is certainly not over, as Rhodes continues to get enraged by the sight of McIntyre.

This episode also served as a launchpad for next week’s “SmackDown,” where we could see the rivalry surrounding the United States Championship finally come to a head, and a mixed-tag team match that involves a terrorizing reunion. It also foreshadowed rivalries of the future, where two massive teams locked eyes (and fists) in the ring, as well as Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 13, where we finally know who will face John Cena in his final match.

Friday ‘SmackDown’ results

• Ilja Dragunov def. Carmelo Hayes to retain the United States Championship
• Alexa Bliss def. Kairi Sane
• Jade Cargill def. Alba Fyre to retain the WWE Women’s Championship
• Gunther def. LA Knight in “The Last Time Is Now” tournament final

Is Gunther the best opponent for John Cena’s final match?

Gunther just keeps going 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/WdalxZ7Y2c

— WWE (@WWE) December 6, 2025

Gunther defeated LA Knight to win “The Last Time Is Now” tournament and the right to face Cena in his final WWE match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C.

I don’t mind Gunther as the choice, although it doesn’t perfectly fit SNME’s theme of spotlighting future talent. A couple months ago, my pick to face Cena in his final match was Dominik Mysterio. He hasn’t been world champion yet, but absolutely on course to become one, and would benefit greatly from the aura that would come with pinning the “Greatest of All Time” in his final match. But “Dirty Dom” did get his victory over Cena in his hometown of San Diego at Survivor Series, and one could argue that’s equally as impactful to his career. For Gunther, he is already a former world champion and a main event star, so a win over Cena could be viewed as just another notch on his belt. Now, having retired two pro wrestling legends in a calendar year (Gunther already defeated Goldberg in his final match in July) is an impressive feat, and a “Legend Killer” era of Gunther would be something. Maybe he faces Randy Orton in 2026 — “Legend Killer vs. Legend Killer” — and fans are talking a lot about a Chris Jericho WWE retirement run.

But that’s for later. Let’s dive into next week’s match between Cena and Gunther.

Logically, Gunther should win this match. He’s sticking around while Cena is retiring. He will be among the athletes who will carry the WWE for years to come. The only scenario I can create for Cena winning this match, if you are looking for one, is that the match is in Washington, D.C. and a “Cena wins one for America in the country’s capital” is a nice touch. But that’s the only scenario I could remotely see happening for a Cena victory. Cena has immense respect for WWE and pro wrestling. He’d choose to, and want to go out on his shield. And quite frankly, the result doesn’t matter on Saturday — the paying homage does. The post-match celebration does. I hope it’s a long party in the ring filled with gratitude and respect. Because the “Greatest of All Time” deserves it.

Other takeaways/storylines

NEXT WEEK

THE TERROR TWINS vs. ALEISTER BLACK & ZELINA

Looks like you messed with the wrong person, Aleister Black… 👀 pic.twitter.com/bmhE62xHnf

— WWE (@WWE) December 6, 2025

• Damien Priest and Rhea Ripley revealed that the Terror Twins are back. Next week on “SmackDown” it will be Priest and Ripley against Aleister Black and Zelina Vega, which should be a highly entertaining match. I could see this rivalry spilling into 2026, maybe even on the first “SmackDown” of the year, in a cage or another climactic specialty match.

Come on, Ciampa! 😡 pic.twitter.com/frHVoXU1CY

— WWE (@WWE) December 6, 2025

• Tommaso Ciampa interfered in the United States Championship open challenge match between Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes, costing Hayes the match with Dragunov unaware. But Dragunov saw the replay on the big screen while walking back up the aisle and became enraged. Eventually, Dragunov will get fed up with Ciampa — who’s been asking for the challenge — and grant him a title match. I wouldn’t mind Ciampa winning by crook and Dragunov chasing him all the way to WrestleMania.

Tomorrow night just got a whole lot bigger!

The winner of the NXT Championship Match at NXT Deadline will be facing Cody Rhodes NEXT WEEK at Saturday Night’s Main Event 🤯 pic.twitter.com/SigcbWNSIW

— WWE (@WWE) December 6, 2025

• WWE Undisputed champion Cody Rhodes spoke to NXT champion Ricky Saints and challenger Oba Femi, who will meet on Saturday’s NXT Deadline main event. Rhodes said that the winner of that match will face him at Saturday Night’s Main Event, which aligns with the show’s theme of focusing on future talent. Rhodes and Saints are long-time competitors with a lot of mutual respect. That match would be a highly entertaining match for SNME.

WHAT THE?!

Cody Rhodes just ATTACKED Drew McIntyre! 😱 pic.twitter.com/42RnboVPUO

— WWE (@WWE) December 6, 2025

• … and more on Rhodes, whose rivalry with Drew McIntyre continued for another week. McIntyre waltzed into the arena thinking he was no longer suspended following his team’s win at Survivor Series: WarGames, but “SmackDown” general manager Adam Pearce kicked him out — again — but not before Rhodes beat him up inside McIntyre’s own truck (a nice callback to McIntyre roughing up Rhodes on his bus a few weeks ago). After it was over, Rhodes begged Pearce to reinstate McIntyre. Will that be their final match, and will it be on “SmackDown” or at the Royal Rumble?

“You do not deserve the name Wyatt…”

Solo Sikoa just made this real personal… 😬 pic.twitter.com/3AqVd22Y0O

— WWE (@WWE) December 6, 2025

• Solo Sikoa and MFT have finally addressed the Wyatt Sicks head-on.

“Everything that was his … that is yours … will be mine,” Sikoa said. “You do not deserve the name Wyatt.” He went on to say he is going to take it all away “because I can … all I have to do is Bo-Lieve.” This caused the Wyatt Sicks to arrive, with Uncle Howdy in the ring, flanked by the rest of the Sicks. The segment ended with both groups throwing punches at each other. Erik Rowan threw Tala Tonga out of the ring and the Wyatts stood tall, having the edge.