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.