Chasing a fifth title
In the 2025 season, Max Verstappen will aim for his fifth consecutive F1 world title, a feat achieved in the history of the sport only by Michael Schumacher. The Dutchman from Red Bull has recently received praise from a former rival, albeit not a direct one: Valtteri Bottas. The Finn was Hamilton’s teammate at Mercedes from 2017 to 2021, and in his final season as a full-time driver for the Silver Arrows, he witnessed Max Verstappen’s first title up close, snatched from Hamilton on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi GP at the end of an epic and controversial championship.
Former rivals
Now, after a three-year stint with Sauber, Valtteri Bottas has returned to the Mercedes fold and will serve as their third driver in 2025. Speaking about Max Verstappen in an interview with RacingNews365, the Finnish veteran had high praise for the Hasselt native, emphasizing his exceptional skill in battles and increasing consistency: “It’s tough to fight with him,” said the 35-year-old from Nastola, who knows this firsthand from several on-track duels with the Dutchman. “He doesn’t leave space [and] you know he’ll never back down.” – he pointed out.
Fast, consistent, and error-free
“Everyone racing against him knows he’s very consistent and hardly makes mistakes anymore, unlike earlier in his career,” Valtteri Bottas added. “That’s natural because now he’s at the peak of his career. He’s incredibly fast, talented, and now has experience and confidence: he’s a very tough driver to beat. Of course, in the future, he’ll also need the car, as we saw in 2024 with the many different winners. His best quality? Consistency,” concluded the former #77. “In any situation, he’s always able to put together a lap. Plus, during races, he’s always very intelligent. Overall, he’s a complete driver, and that’s why he’s won the title so many times.”
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