McLaren provides drama, Max Verstappen stays cool: The Red Bull star talks about pressure, motivation, and his remaining title chances.
World championship outsider Max Verstappen appears unimpressed by the fact that the two McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, are repeatedly getting involved in controversial situations.
Verstappen said ahead of the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix: “Honestly, that’s not my problem, is it?
“I’m just focusing on my own performance. For me, the most important thing is that we have a competitive car. If we have that, we also have a chance to beat them. That’s the only thing I’m focusing on.”
Unfamiliar role: Max Verstappen is the hunter
The fact that, for the first time in years, he is the hunter rather than the hunted in the final stages of the 2025 Formula 1 season “doesn’t change much,” Verstappen explained. His reasoning: “Of course, you always want to win, you want to take the title.”
“I’ve won championships very late, but also very early – and this one is of course completely different because it was much more difficult for us for much of the season. To be honest, it’s surprising that we’re still in the title race at all – but I’ll gladly take that.”
How well Red Bull can handle pressure
Currently 40 points behind in the Formula 1 drivers’ standings, Verstappen has little room for maneuver in the title fight against Norris and Piastri. “I’ve said it before: we have to perform perfectly now,” said the Red Bull driver.
“However, I see this as positive pressure—because I love what I do. And when the car is good, it’s even more fun.”
What’s more, Red Bull has already proven its nerves of steel in the past: “We’re usually very good under pressure,” said Verstappen. “That’s exactly what we want to demonstrate again until the end of the season.”
