Horner on Verstappen's biggest challengers in 2025
F1 News
- Savannah Lenz
Compared to the 2023 season, Max Verstappen had to work harder for his fourth F1 title in 2024. During the 2024 season, the Red Bull Racing driver was constantly battling for the championship, especially after the 2024 Miami Grand Prix. His biggest challenges were from McLaren and Ferrari, with the occasional Mercedes winner. Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing's team principal, has his thoughts on who he thinks will be Verstappen's biggest challengers for the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The 2025 season is the last season before the regulations change. Because of this, the teams have the opportunity to go all out with the development of their cars. They are able to compile the data from the last few years and give it one last effort for a championship under the current regulations. The competition was very fierce leading up towards the end of the 2024 season and if things continue the way they were, the 2025 season should start off just as intense.
Who will challenge Verstappen in 2025, according to Horner?
With seven different winners last season, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc were Verstappen's main rivals. Occasionally Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton graced the top step of the podium instead of Verstappen. Despite still winning the world title, Verstappen did not win as many races as he would have liked. In fact, he won less races in 2024 than he did in 2023. As Red Bull Racing did not have the strongest line-up or car, McLaren took home the constructors' title. Horner believes that they possess the strength to do it again in 2025.
When asked by TalkSport who he felt Verstappen's biggest challengers for the upcoming season were, Horner said, "I would say McLaren drivers." It would not surprise the Englishman if the papaya team managed to come back even stronger after the 2024 season they had.
This article was written in collaboration with Jeroen Immink.
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