Max Verstappen is feeling pessimistic! After his fourth world championship in 2024, the reigning champion is lacking confidence. He does not expect to compete for the win in the season opener in Melbourne – instead, McLaren is seen as the big contender in the Formula 1 anniversary year. However, Bernie Ecclestone can reassure all Verstappen fans. He believes that the Dutchman is still extraordinary.
Max Verstappen has a lot at stake in 2025. If he retains his world title this season, he will have won the championship five times in a row. Only one driver in history has ever achieved this: between 2000 and 2004, Michael Schumacher won five consecutive titles with Ferrari. After a mediocre winter test in Bahrain, experts are questioning whether Red Bull is competitive enough for a new title this season. In a conversation with Reuters, former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone confirms that Verstappen could still make the difference.
“I still think Max (Verstappen) will win,” says Ecclestone. “If he has the right equipment, there’s no room for debate. It’s a certainty.” We don’t need to doubt the Dutch champion, but Red Bull seems to be potentially falling behind the competition in 2025. During the winter test in Bahrain, the Austrians covered the fewest kilometers of all teams, while rival McLaren appears stronger than ever.”
‘I Hope for Ferrari’
Last year, the ‘papayas’ failed to dethrone Verstappen, but if Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have a competitive car this season, that could quickly change. Meanwhile, Ecclestone is also looking at Ferrari, which boasts a formidable line-up with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. “Of course, you have to keep McLaren in mind, but personally, I would like to see Ferrari win,” he said. He is betting on the 27-year-old Monegasque. “He’s been there all this time, they’re not just going to sideline him for Hamilton,” he explained. “I’m not saying Lewis can’t do it, but Ferrari will continue to support Leclerc.”
We will only truly see the balance of power in 2025 during the season opener in Melbourne (14 to 16 March). Last year, McLaren won the constructors’ championship, but Verstappen dominated the drivers’ title. This year promises to be another challenging season for the Dutchman. Nevertheless, Ecclestone is convinced: “If the car is good, he’ll make it happen.”
