Key Takeaways from Verstappen's 2025 Season:
- Max Verstappen finished second in the 2025 F1 Drivers' Championship, just 2 points shy of winner Lando Norris.
- The Dutch sensation found the "underdog" role refreshing, noting a significant increase in positive fan support.
- Speaking on The Fast and The Curious podcast, Verstappen clarified his personal drive remains constant.
- He confessed the second half of 2025 was more enjoyable than the first, despite not clinching the title.
The Roar of Approval: A Champion's New Soundtrack
The Red Bull ace, fresh off a thrilling but ultimately runner-up finish in the 2025 F1 Drivers' Championship, admits that being the 'underdog' brought a surprisingly 'nice' shift in fan energy. Verstappen, a four-time champion, openly discussed how the perception of him as an 'underdog' transformed the atmosphere at race weekends. “It is nice to have people cheering instead of booing or whatever,” he shared on The Fast and The Curious podcast.
While Verstappen admitted he would have preferred to replicate a dominant season like 2023, when he won 19 of 22 races, he acknowledged that the increased positivity from fans in 2025 was refreshing. “Yeah, I guess when you're a bit of an underdog, probably that happens a bit naturally, but it is nice,” he said. “Sometimes [being the underdog] was enjoyable. The second half was more enjoyable than the first half. But for me, ’23 is still my favourite season.”
Beyond the Podium: Motivation, Mindset and the Road to 2026
Despite the changing perception, Verstappen was adamant that his mindset has not shifted. “Honestly, I've not changed as a person,” he explained. “It's just that you are in a different role naturally because you're not winning as many races as we did before. But at the end of the day, for me, it's more important. Did I change? No, I didn't.” He pushed back against the idea that dominance dulls competitive edge, adding, “People say like, ‘Yeah, you're the leader, and you check out,’ but I'm not checking out. I'm still fully focused, and there’s a lot that comes into it to try and have these kinds of results.”
Looking ahead, the Dutchman is preparing for his 12th season in Formula 1, which coincides with the sport’s major regulation overhaul in 2026. Private testing is already underway in Barcelona, with further sessions scheduled in Bahrain from February 11–13 and February 18–20, as Verstappen and Red Bull Racing gear up for the next chapter of the championship.
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