Max Verstappen compared to Elvis Presley ahead titanic F1 showdown

Max Verstappen's comeback in the 2025 Formula 1 title race has been compared to Elvis Presley's 1968 return by David Coulthard.

After the Dutch GP, Verstappen was 104 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri, but he has since embarked on a stunning run of form since the Italian GP, scoring five wins in eight races, a second and two thirds, plus a Sprint win in the United States.

This has coincided with a wobble for Piastri, who is now four points behind Verstappen going into the three-way finale as Verstappen hunts down title leader Lando Norris.

Norris has 408 points to Verstappen's 396 and Piastri on 392. It means Verstappen must finish on the podium in Abu Dhabi to win the title, with a win requiring Norris to be at least third.

Analysing the title race, former Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull driver Coulthard compared the comeback from Verstappen to that of 'the king of rock and roll' as he returned to live performances in 1968.

"Max is pretty assertive, isn't he, when it comes to pointing out any deficiencies, not only in himself, but in the team; that is part of his make-up," Coulthard told Channel 4.

"This is like the greatest comeback since Elvis' 1968 TV special. This is like just unbelievable. He's come out swinging, and he's actually changed the perceptions of a lot of people who weren't Max fans.

"They now have to acknowledge just how strong and consistent he's been.

"There is no question Max is going to be skipping into the paddock in Abu Dhabi, and it is going to feel like race one for him, not race 24.

"But that said, it is another circuit McLaren won there last year, it is a track which looks like, on paper, should suit their car, so it is a complete reset."