As Max Verstappen gears up for his 11th season in Formula 1, the three-time world champion is leaving no stone unturned in his quest for dominance. Despite securing yet another Drivers’ Championship in 2024, Verstappen admits the past season came with its fair share of turbulence—an experience that only fuels his hunger to refine his skills and push Red Bull Racing to new heights in 2025.
In an exclusive Red Bull Media interview ahead of pre-season testing, Verstappen peeled back the curtain on his mindset, his evolving role within the team, and how fatherhood might shape his future—both on and off the track.
Lessons from 2024: Red Bull’s Rollercoaster Year
Reflecting on the challenges of 2024, Verstappen acknowledged that his road to championship glory was anything but smooth. Red Bull’s blistering start to the season quickly gave way to a series of unpredictable performances, forcing the team to adapt on the fly.
“I think the beautiful thing was that every championship that I’ve won has been in different ways,” Verstappen said.
“Last year was definitely a challenging one. We had a great start to the year, then a bit of a tough time, and then at the end of the year, it was quite up and down.”
The Dutchman believes the key to staying ahead of the competition is in the lessons Red Bull has extracted from last season’s inconsistencies.
“It’s just about what we learned from it. Hopefully, this year, we can take those lessons and do a more solid job.”
A Decade in F1: Verstappen Still Feels the Fire
It may be hard to believe, but Max Verstappen is now a seasoned veteran in the sport—about to embark on his 11th consecutive season since debuting as a teenager in 2015.
“Yeah, it’s been a while already,” Verstappen mused.
“To start my 11th season is pretty crazy. It does feel like quite a bit of time, but I’m just excited for what’s ahead.”
At just 27 years old, he’s already carved out a legacy that few can match, but his focus remains on constant evolution and self-improvement.
“What I always try to look for is consistency, and to not make too many mistakes. Every single year, I aim to improve—even if it’s not car-related, just driving-related.”
Favorite Circuits: Where Verstappen Thrives the Most
While every driver has tracks they prefer, Verstappen made no secret of his personal favorites—circuits that are deeply intertwined with his career and heritage.
“For me, the most exciting ones are always Spa and Zandvoort,” he revealed.
“Spa-Francorchamps is my favorite track. And then, of course, with Zandvoort being my home track, there are a lot of good memories.”
His domination at Spa-Francorchamps—where he has won multiple times—has cemented his status as a master of high-speed, technical circuits. Meanwhile, Zandvoort remains a personal and emotional battleground, with Verstappen thriving in front of his passionate home crowd.
A Second Family: Verstappen’s Bond with Red Bull
At the core of Verstappen’s sustained success is his tight-knit relationship with Red Bull Racing. Having been part of the Austrian powerhouse since his F1 debut, Verstappen has built a unique level of trust within the team.
“For me personally, I can just be myself, and I think that is very important within a team,” Verstappen explained.
“Being part of this team for such a long time, it’s like a second family. And we definitely have a bit more fun than the average team on the grid.”
His enthusiasm extends to Red Bull’s up-and-coming talent, Liam Lawson, whom Verstappen is eager to work alongside in 2025.
“I’ve seen Liam grow within the Red Bull family, and I really hope we can do a good job together to improve the car and make it even more competitive.”
Fatherhood Beckons: Verstappen Prepares for a New Chapter
While Verstappen’s life has revolved around racing for more than a decade, 2025 will bring a massive personal milestone—he is about to become a father with longtime partner Kelly Piquet.
However, when asked if this life-changing event will alter his mindset as a racer, Verstappen was quick to downplay any shift in focus.
“To be honest, I hope not a lot will change in terms of driving. It shouldn’t be,” Verstappen said.
“It’s for sure very exciting. But I think it’s difficult for me to put that into words until the baby is born.”
While it remains to be seen how fatherhood will impact his approach to racing, it’s clear that Verstappen’s hunger for victory remains as strong as ever.
Red Bull’s 2025 Ambitions: The Battle Begins Soon
With pre-season testing on the horizon, Red Bull Racing will soon get a first glimpse at their competition for the new season. After a dominant streak in recent years, the team faces mounting pressure from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, all of whom are eager to end Red Bull’s supremacy.
But if Max Verstappen’s mentality is any indication, 2025 might just be another year where he silences the doubters and reaffirms his place at the top.
“Every year, I want to be a little bit better. Even if the improvements are small, that’s how you stay ahead,” Verstappen said.
One thing is for sure: whether it’s in the garage, on the grid, or fighting for another world title—Max Verstappen is not slowing down anytime soon.