Formula 1 is a relatively young sport compared to other disciplines. Perhaps because of this youth, it is constantly looking ahead. This characteristic is amplified by its nature, as it is a category driven by technological progress.
Those involved in this field know they cannot dwell on past successes to replicate victories in future years. This mindset is reflected not only in the actions of those working behind the scenes, like engineers and team organizers, but also in the approach of those who, helmet on, sit in the cockpit and make Grand Prix history.
Max Verstappen in the F1 Elite
Max Verstappen is one of the greatest protagonists of this noble and fascinating sport. Four drivers’ titles are not within everyone’s reach—an achievement attained by only a select few champions like Sebastian Vettel, Alain Prost, Juan Manuel Fangio, Michael Schumacher, and Lewis Hamilton.
An elite group of six legends who, in their careers, never settled for less or rested on their laurels but constantly challenged themselves, striving for continuous improvement in the relentless pursuit of perfection.
The Red Bull ace has just collected the trophy marking this milestone, and during that ceremony, amid glitz, music, and dazzling lights, he hinted that winning four consecutive titles offers no automatic advantage for securing future championships. No, because he knows something more is needed to maintain dominance.
He recognizes that certain signals from 2024 highlight the need to push even harder, as the competition is fierce and, above all, has caught up. This is evidenced by McLaren and Ferrari, who, in the Constructors’ Championship, managed to challenge the team that just a year ago concluded a season with 21 wins out of 22 races—an unprecedented feat in Formula 1.
Max Verstappen Does Not Rest on His Laurels
“This season, as you can see, has been quite inconsistent,” Verstappen said during the award ceremony as he collected his trophy for the fourth time. “We had a great start to the year; everything seemed fantastic. Especially from the outside, I think. Obviously, as a team, you always understand your own limitations and what you want to work on. The competition did an excellent job, improved their cars significantly, and made things much harder for us, especially in the Constructors’ Championship.”
“We had some difficulties mid-season, but even under pressure and during tough moments, I think the team really stayed united. We didn’t panic, which would have been easy to do in such situations. I’m very proud of all the team members. Of course, we are not here as Constructors’ Champions, but in a sense, I think we deserved a bit more in that championship.”
“I gave my best, and we also know a lot about what we need to work on for next year. I’m very excited about that too because it looks like it will be a real battle between many teams.”
Verstappen knows that the thrill of winning the title is short-lived: “It’s incredible—four titles are definitely amazing. I hope it doesn’t stop here, and I hope we can be successful for a longer period. It’s already evident that this year the competition is very tight. But in 2026, much will change, and perhaps other teams will become competitive again. For now, I think it’s very important to enjoy the moment, be proud of what we’ve achieved as a team, and try again next year.”
Max Verstappen-Red Bull: The Future May Hold Surprises
As you can see, the Dutchman is thinking about 2025 but is already looking ahead to 2026, a season that will bring regulatory overhauls in both chassis-aerodynamics and engines. In this broader context of transformation, Red Bull faces a challenge that could be even more significant and consequential.
After years of fruitful collaboration with Honda, the Austrian team will part ways with the Japanese manufacturer, which will form an exclusive partnership with Aston Martin, and will introduce in-house engines developed with Ford, which will focus primarily on the electric component of the V6 turbo-hybrid, designed and produced at the Milton Keynes powertrain division.
It’s an exciting challenge but also one with a high degree of risk, as RBPT will find itself competing against global automotive giants: Ferrari, Mercedes, Honda, Audi—which will debut in Formula 1—and, a few years later, General Motors, which will enter the fray with its own engine starting in 2028.
The year 2028 will also mark the final season of Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull, an agreement that could end prematurely due to the presence of a release clause. Obviously, activating such a scenario would not be straightforward, but there is a sense that Max, a perfectionist and still hungry for victories, might consider other options to continue his winning streak if he feels that the team that brought him fortune and glory can no longer provide the consistency he needs.
The second half of the 2024 season sounded some alarm bells: since the Spanish Grand Prix, Verstappen has won only two races—a haul too meager to inspire confidence for the seasons ahead. It is clear that Red Bull will need a much more incisive technical effort to fend off increasingly fierce competition.
In a sport that must always set aside its past to focus on the future, Max Verstappen has realized it is once again time to push forward. Being a four-time world champion—a member of that exclusive elite mentioned earlier—is not enough to guarantee future triumphs.
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