Max Verstappen believes the 2025 Purple Bull Method 1 challenger is a major enchancment on its predecessor however acknowledged nothing might be “worse than final yr”.
The Purple Bull driver clinched a fourth world title in 2024 regardless of his group falling to 3rd behind McLaren and Ferrari within the constructors’ standings after poor mid-season growth.
Purple Bull struggled with a automotive that was unpredictable and had poor stability resulting in it successful simply two of the ultimate 14 grands prix in comparison with seven of the opening 10.
Now, talking in Bahrain at F1 2025 pre-season testing, Verstappen revealed the brand new automotive is healthier “all over the place” however the bar for enchancment was not very excessive.
“It might probably’t be worse than final yr,” he stated on day two of testing. “So I feel the route that we’re working into is nice.
“We simply have to observe that and see how a lot we are able to extract. For the time being, it’s actually early days – a number of issues we’re nonetheless discussing and wanting to enhance.
“However yesterday I loved it and that’s already a giant distinction to final yr.”
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing RB21, Rollout
Photograph by: Purple Bull Content material Pool
Final season was the primary time for some time that Verstappen and Purple Bull didn’t have the strongest package deal, because the Dutchman dominated 2023 successful 19 of the 22 grands prix.
So, when requested how a lot affect Verstappen had been given on the event of the 2025 challenger in comparison with earlier fashions, he stated: “Some vehicles don’t want a lot affect. For myself and the group, sooner or later final yr we knew one thing was up.
“After all a number of issues must be addressed and that’s why fairly a number of issues have modified.
“So I give my suggestions on what I want – the automotive must go sooner and that’s what we attempt to apply.
“I feel the group discovered so much from final yr. We tried to unravel these issues and now we have now to see how the automotive performs in Australia, which is one other fully completely different circuit [to Bahrain].”
Photographs from the Bahrain Pre-Season Testing – Day 2
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Ed Hardy
Method 1
Max Verstappen
Purple Bull Racing
Be the primary to know and subscribe for real-time information e mail updates on these subjects
Subscribe to information alerts