After years of dominating in Method 1, Max Verstappen discovered himself in an underdog function throughout his championship combat in 2025.
His post-summer break surge in efficiency resulted in him lacking out on the drivers’ championship title by simply two factors to winner Lando Norris.
Whereas he would have slightly replicated a season akin to 2023, when he gained 19 out of the 22 grands prix, Verstappen admitted that it was good to be met with extra fan enthusiasm slightly than boos from the gang.
“Truthfully, I’ve not modified as an individual,” he stated throughout an look on The Quick and The Curious podcast.
“It is simply that you’re in a distinct function naturally since you’re not successful as many races as we did earlier than. However on the finish of the day, for me, it is extra essential. Did I alter? No, I did not. In order that’s the one factor that I can actually say about that.”
When requested if he felt extra positivity from followers in 2025, the four-time champion added: “Yeah, I suppose once you’re a little bit of an underdog, in all probability that occurs a bit naturally, however it’s good. It is good to have individuals cheering as a substitute of booing or no matter.
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Photograph by: Glenn Dunbar / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
“Typically [being the underdog] was pleasing. The second half was extra pleasing than the primary half. However for me, ’23 remains to be my favorite season.
“It was not boring to me as a result of I used to be all the time difficult myself even. That is all the time the factor. Folks say like, ‘Yeah, you are the chief and also you take a look at,’ however I am not testing. I am nonetheless totally centered and there is a lot that comes into it to attempt to have these sorts of outcomes.”
The Dutchman is getting ready for his twelfth season in F1, which may even introduce a brand new set of rules to the championship. Non-public testing for the 2026 season is presently ongoing in Barcelona earlier than testing in Bahrain from 11-13 February and 18-20 February.
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