Verstappen set for tough year? 'It will show if Red Bull is the right team'
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- Ludo van Denderen
Gerhard Berger has no doubt that Max Verstappen is the best driver on the Formula 1 grid right now. However, the former F1 driver emphasises that Verstappen, like any other driver, depends heavily on the equipment provided by Red Bull Racing. The big question now is whether the 2025 challenger will be enough to secure Verstappen's fifth consecutive title.
According to Berger, it remains to be seen whether this succeeds again. "Now it will be exciting whether Red Bull can be as strong as before or whether Verstappen will continue to struggle to win. Then he will start thinking whether he is still in the right team," the 10-time Grand Prix winner told Auto, Motor und Sport.
Can Norris threaten Verstappen?
Lando Norris is seen by many as the leading candidate for the title in 2025. Last season, the Brit often had the fastest car in the field with his McLaren but failed to beat Verstappen throughout the entire season.
Verstappen kept taking points, maximising his result even on weekends when he couldn't win. "In this area too, Verstappen has matured. Hamilton also learned this at some point. These are the real champions. This is how they conquer championships."
Always getting the most out of it, Lando Norris did not, according to Berger. "I think in a duel with Verstappen, Norris was not ready for the title. Maybe McLaren and his car became the winning team a little too late," said Berger, who calls Norris a talented driver.
"Verstappen also made his mistakes in the beginning. As he gained experience, these became less and less. The same will happen with Norris."
This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon
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