Max Verstappen believes Red Bull’s tough 2024 Formula One season could fuel his bid for a record-tying fifth consecutive drivers’ championship.
The Dutchman secured his fourth straight title in Las Vegas in November 2024. This feat made him the fifth driver in F1 history to win four in a row. If he triumphs again in 2025—F1’s 75th anniversary, he’ll match Michael Schumacher’s record of five successive titles.
Despite Max Verstappen winning the 2024 drivers’ title by 63 points over Lando Norris, Red Bull faced challenges. Norris’s McLaren team ended Red Bull’s streak of constructors’ championships. Still, Verstappen remains optimistic. “If we stay competitive as a team, I’m sure we can win it again,” he told reporters at Tuesday’s 2025 F1 Season launch in London’s O2 Arena.
He praised Red Bull’s resilience. “Last year was tougher, but we maximized our results. That’s our big strength,” Verstappen said. With pre-season testing in Bahrain approaching, he’s cautious about predictions. “I don’t know where we stand yet. No one does,” he added.
Max Verstappen highlighted the unknowns before the Australian Grand Prix on March 16. “I haven’t driven my car, and no one has seen the others,” he explained. Speculating now, he said, wastes energy. “It’s good for the sport if it’s exciting, but I can’t tell yet.” In a few weeks, testing will reveal more.
Last month, Britain’s Daily Mail reported Aston Martin’s 1 billion pound ($1.25 billion) offer to lure Max Verstappen. The team finished fifth in 2024, trailing Red Bull by 495 points. However, Aston Martin’s new team principal, Andy Cowell, dodged the rumours on Tuesday. He emphasized their current drivers, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, who hold long-term contracts.
“Our job is to build a fast race car,” Cowell said. “We didn’t do that last year, and the drivers faced pressure for it. That pressure should be on us. I’m confident they’ll deliver with the right car.”