Soccer and Formula One rarely intersect, but they have done so in surprising ways. While Verstappen battled Hamilton, Leclerc, and anyone else attempting to challenge his supremacy in motorsport’s top category, Brazilian football was living a golden era with Palmeiras.

Verstappen and Palmeiras: Linked by Success… and Failure?

Back in 2021, an unexpected crossover occurred: Palmeiras defeated Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores Final that year, and at the same time, Max Verstappen began his era of dominance in Formula One.

Success seemed to smile equally on the Verdao and the Dutchman. In 2022, Palmeiras won the Paulista Championship, the Brasileirão, and the Copa Sudamericana, while Max secured the second of his four world titles.

In 2023, the “decline” seemed to start: Palmeiras won the league and the Supercopa do Brasil. By 2024, the club had to settle for the Paulista Championship — just as McLaren and Lando Norris emerged as a threat to “Mad Max”.

Now in 2025, Palmeiras under Abel Ferreira fell in the Copa Libertadores Final to Flamengo, something that could coincide with Verstappen being defeated by Norris. 

How Is the Formula One Drivers’ Championship Looking?

Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on December 7, Norris holds the lead over Max in the fight for the Drivers’ Championship.

• Lando Norris — 408
• Max Verstappen — 396
• Oscar Piastri — 392
• George Russell — 309
• Charles Leclerc — 230