Verstappen believes in fifth world title: 'If we do, we'll be back on top'
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Max Verstappen believes in a fifth world title with Red Bull Racing. Despite a lesser second half of the season in 2024, Verstappen believes that with a few adjustments, he can compete for the world title again in 2025.
Max Verstappen took his fourth world title in a row in 2024, but it was one he had to fight hard for again. Since the Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing no longer had the strongest car and Verstappen had to make sure he still stayed on top of his game to secure the championship.
He did managed to do that quite well, actually. Since the Florida race, Verstappen still scored the most points among all the drivers, although things were certainly less rosy in the period after the summer break. In that shorter period, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris scored more points than Verstappen.
Verstappen believes in fifth world title
''Bizarre, but of course I am proud and now I want to go on for my fifth title,'' Verstappen told Blick about winning his fourth world title. The fifth world title is clearly Max Verstappen's next goal, but will he succeed as early as 2025?
''I don't have a crystal ball, but if we can address certain weaknesses in the winter, we will be back at the top. I am not here to make a prediction. Five teams will compete at the front, the weaknesses are almost out everywhere. Balance was often a problem because the 'window' for temperature was very narrow. That leaves you searching a bit."
Whereas Verstappen still scored enough points with that balance to become world champion, Sergio Perez showed how difficult it really was to drive the RB20. He barely scored any more points from Miami, causing Red Bull Racing to lose the battle for the world title, finishing third in the Constructors at the flag in Abu Dhabi.
In 2025, Verstappen will have a new teammate in Liam Lawson. A driver with only 11 Grands Prix to his name, who should close the gap towards Verstappen and be able to compete directly with the elite drivers of the sport. ''If we make the car faster, then the name in that cockpit doesn't matter,'' the down-to-earth Verstappen concludes.
This article was written in collaboration with Norberto Mujica
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