Verstappen on title chances: 'This is what I'm focused on'

It can happen so quickly. Where the McLaren drivers were the favorites to win the drivers' world title in 2025 for weeks, Max Verstappen is now seen by friend and foe as an important title contender after his demonstration in Japan last week. The Red Bull Racing driver himself is not getting ahead of himself.

Max Verstappen has insisted he is focused only on Red Bull's performance despite firmly entering the Formula 1 drivers' championship picture at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The four-time world champion secured the first non-McLaren grand prix win of the season at Suzuka to move within a point of standings leader Lando Norris, despite Red Bull's apparent struggles to start the season.

Asked whether he had an eye on a fifth title ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Verstappen told media including GPBlog: "Honestly, I don't think about that too much. I am just focused on the car's performance.

"As soon as we get close to them [McLaren], or are at the same level, I know it will be fine.

"But we are not there yet and we must first reach that point, because otherwise there is no point in even talking about a championship."

Verstappen: "We still need to improve"

While the victory in Japan was a welcome lift for Red Bull after the negative press surrounding its second seat and car performance in the opening two race weekends of the year, Verstappen is remaining grounded.

"I think winning is truly great," added the Dutchman. "Everyone loves winning. But we are also aware that we still need to improve. That has been the goal from the beginning."

"But still, it is better than finishing second or third that weekend. So we seize it with both hands. We are proud that we have been able to fully exploit our performance there.

"The car was not easy to balance and we made it, let's say, drivable. And yes, on Sunday it was good enough to keep up the fight."