“I've no regrets”: Max Verstappen calls 2025 his greatest F1 12 months regardless of Lando Norris win

Max Verstappen says he has “no regrets” a few season he believes was one of the best driving of his Formulation 1 profession, regardless of dropping the 2025 world championship to Lando Norris by simply two factors.

The Crimson Bull driver had resigned himself to not successful the championship after a sluggish begin to the season. However with the crew below the management of Laurent Mekies and with a automobile enhancing beneath him, he was instantly in competition as soon as once more.

At the same time as he took his 71st win at Yas Marina, the lack of his fifth championship will inevitably sting, however he insists that the way in which he dragged himself again into competition after a difficult begin to the season has left him greater than glad, even in comparison with final 12 months.

Requested if this was one of the best he has ever pushed in Formulation 1, the four-time world champion replied: “Yeah, I believe so, I imply I’ve no regrets of my season, I believe the efficiency has been sturdy.

“I’ve hated this automobile at occasions however I’ve additionally beloved it at occasions and I all the time attempt to extract essentially the most of it even within the tough weekends that we’ve had.

“It’s been like I mentioned earlier than, a correct curler coaster with the automobile however fortunately the final, I might say, eight, 9 rounds basically have been much more pleasing.

“And likewise within the crew, we’ve an incredible environment in the meanwhile, we’re actually on a roll, constructive power, perception, confidence and that’s precisely what you need additionally heading into subsequent 12 months.”

Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing, Zak Brown, McLaren

Picture by: Steven Tee / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos

Verstappen and Crimson Bull seemed utterly out of the title battle after a lot of tough races akin to Hungary, the place he completed a minute behind the race winner. However a considerable enchancment in efficiency turned this 12 months into a real three-way battle between Verstappen and the McLaren drivers.

That course of, Verstappen says, is a big a part of what he’s feeling following the season’s finish.

“I imply on the finish of the day it’s all the time nicer to win it. However truthfully, I’m sitting right here now with most likely a greater feeling than what I had final 12 months at the moment as a result of the second half of final 12 months was fairly tough at occasions as properly.

“Now we have been struggling for I might say a 12 months. The second half of final 12 months and the primary half of this 12 months… however I really really feel rather a lot higher now.

“Disgrace to overlook out on the title, however on the identical time, for a protracted time period, I used to be not even eager about the title. I by no means felt like I used to be in it till just a few rounds in the past, in order that’s fairly loopy.

“You are taking your pleasure in numerous methods, however I’m proud of myself and in addition into subsequent 12 months I’m not in a state of getting to fret about my expertise or no matter, so yeah, I really feel good.”

Pictures from Abu Dhabi GP – Race

Lando Norris, McLaren