Max Verstappen has made it clear that Red Bull’s 2025 Formula 1 title ambitions depend on the performance of the RB21 rather than the driver in the second seat.
After dominating the Drivers’ Championship for a fourth consecutive year in 2024, Verstappen is shifting his focus to the team’s collective goal for this year: reclaiming the Constructors’ crown.
Sergio Perez’s struggles last season contributed to Red Bull falling on the third place in the constructors’ ranking, with the Mexican driver finishing a massive 285 points behind Verstappen.
That’s why Red Bull made a decisive change, bringing Liam Lawson into the senior team this year.
While Lawson’s role for the team will be crucial, Verstappen believes the car’s development will define their success.
“If we can get the car back to the front, the name in the other cockpit won’t matter” Verstappen said in an interview with Blick.
The RB20 showed early promise last year, dominating the opening races with seven victories in the first ten rounds. But as the season progressed, balance issues derailed Red Bull’s momentum.
The car struggled to hit the ideal temperature window, creating challenges that persisted across various circuits.
“We often lacked the necessary balance because we simply couldn’t get into the low-temperature window,” Verstappen explained. The Dutchman remains optimistic, though he’s hesitant to make bold predictions for 2025. “I don’t have a crystal ball, but if we can rectify certain weaknesses over the winter, we’ll be back at the front.”
Verstappen expects a competitive field this season. “Five teams should be fighting at the front,” he noted, highlighting the challenge ahead.
Liam Lawson steps into a high-pressure environment as Verstappen’s newest teammate. Red Bull’s second seat has been notoriously difficult, with multiple drivers struggling to match the Dutchman’s pace since Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2018.
Verstappen reflected on his past teammates and didn’t hesitate to name Ricciardo as the one who pushed him the most. “Definitely Daniel Ricciardo” he said. “I was able to learn the most from him. I absorbed a lot and incorporated it into my experiences.”
Despite Perez’s struggles last season, Verstappen expressed appreciation for their time together. Perez played a pivotal role in securing Verstappen’s first title in 2021, particularly during the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale.
“It’s a shame because we were a good team for four years” Verstappen shared. “Sergio was always loyal. That’s a quality I really appreciate.”
As Red Bull prepares for the 2025 campaign, the focus remains on refining the RB21 to ensure it can meet the demands of the upcoming season. Verstappen’s confidence in the team’s ability to bounce back is obvious, but the road to the Constructors’ title needs precision and unity.
With Lawson taking his place in the spotlight and the RB21 undergoing critical adjustments, Red Bull faces a pivotal year. For Verstappen, the mission is clear: make every lap count and let the results speak for themselves.
