Max pre-season interview: 'Try to always improve myself'

Published on 17 February 2025 by Misha van der Kroon

On Tuesday 18 February all ten Formula 1 teams will unveil their liveries for the 2025 season, ahead of the testing days in Bahrain from 26 to 28 February. Max Verstappen, four-time World Champion, has been working out to get into shape and took the time to sit down to answer some questions.

Max, how did the 2024 championship compare to previous ones?
“I think the beautiful thing was that every championship that I have won, has been won in a different way. Of course, last year was definitely a challenging one. We had a great start to the year and then a bit of a tough time. At the end of the year, we had our up and down moments, but that can happen in Formula 1. It’s about what we learn from it and hopefully this year, with what we have learned last year, we can do a more solid job.”

2025 Marks your eleventh season with Red Bull. What does this milestone mean to you?
“It’s been a while already in Formula 1. To start my eleventh season is pretty crazy. It does feel like quite some time that I’ve been in Formula 1. I am just excited for what’s ahead.”

Are there any tracks you’re excited for this season?
“For me personally the most excited ones are always Spa and Zandvoort, two great tracks. Spa is my favourite track and of course Zandvoort is my home race, with good memories racing there as well. For me these two are always big highlights on the calendar, because of the driving experience and from a fan experience as well.”

You will be partnered with Liam Lawson this season. How are you feeling about the new Oracle Red Bull Racing line up?

“It’s very exciting. We have seen Liam grow within the Red Bull family and it’s going to be very interesting to work together with the team. I really hope we can do a good job together, to try to improve the car and make it more competitive.”

What sets Red Bull Racing apart from other teams on the grid?
“Well, for me personally, I can just be myself. I think that is very important, to be able to be yourself within a team. For me, being part of the team for such a long time, it’s like a second family. It does look like we have a bit more fun than the average team on the grid and I think that’s very important as well.”

How do you think being a father is going to change your life in 2025?
“To be honest, I hope not a lot will change. In terms of driving, it shouldn’t. It’s for sure very exciting. It’s very difficult to put that into words until the baby is born. But for sure I am looking forward to it a lot, and looking forward to that whole experience throughout the year.”

Do you set yourself targets for the season?
“Well, what I always aim for anyways: consistency and try not to make too many mistakes, which of course goes a bit hand in hand. Try to always improve myself, every single year. It’s not car related, just driving related. You always try to just be a little bit better. I think at this stage of my career the improvements that you can make are smaller than when I was eighteen, but every year I would like to become a little bit better.”