Max Verstappen is looking forward to a more stable season in 2025, as he seeks to secure his fifth consecutive Formula 1 championship with Red Bull. The Dutch driver had a challenging year in 2024, with the team facing an uneven start to the season and a difficult fight with McLaren’s Norris and Piastri. Additionally, the investigation into Christian Horner’s alleged inappropriate behavior at the beginning of the year, from which he was eventually acquitted, added to the drama.
Verstappen reflected on the past season, stating that “last year was sometimes challenging. Of course, we had many good times, but also some difficult moments, and I hope we can be, say, a little more stable and a little more complete throughout the season.” He expressed his desire for a more consistent performance from the team, which would enable him to achieve his goals.
For the upcoming season, Red Bull has chosen Liam Lawson, a relatively new driver with only six races in F1, as Verstappen’s new teammate. This decision comes after Checo Pérez had a disappointing season, which led to him losing his seat despite signing a new contract just a few months prior.
When asked about his expectations for the season, Verstappen said, “What I hope most is to see how competitive we are. Of course, as you said, Liam is my new teammate, and I’m excited to work with him. I think the whole team is excited about it, and we’re looking forward to this season.” He also mentioned that his mentality has not changed much, despite having already won four titles, and that he is eager to see how the new RB21 performs in the Bahrain tests.
Verstappen is cautiously optimistic about the upcoming season, stating that “I just want to see how competitive we can be. And from there, you set a goal, but it’s too soon to say it right now.” He is focusing on the present and taking things one step at a time, rather than setting specific goals for the season. As the team prepares for the new season, Verstappen is looking forward to working with his new teammate and seeing how the team performs.