Verstappen Reflects on Technical Shifts, Championship Outlook, and 2025 Prospects Ahead of Spanish GP
Barcelona – May 30, 2025
Max Verstappen struck a measured tone ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, addressing a wide range of topics from the impact of technical directives to his evolving perspective on the current Formula One season. The reigning world champion remains pragmatic about Red Bull’s chances this weekend and the trajectory of their 2025 campaign.
Asked whether the FIA’s new technical directive would significantly shake up the field, Verstappen downplayed the impact. “It will change the balance of the car, probably a little bit for us, not too much,” he said. “But I don’t expect massive time gains or losses between the teams.”
On the championship picture, Verstappen resisted speculation that this race could be a defining moment: “Barcelona is not suddenly the one that you say, like, ‘Oh, this is now where you lose it or win it.’ I don’t think you can say that.”
Challenging Dynamics with the Car
Verstappen offered candid insight into Red Bull’s technical struggles, especially in low-speed corners—a weakness he says dates back to the beginning of the current regulations. “We talk about it a lot. It’s just, at the moment, very difficult to fix. It’s been a weakness for a long time now.”
When asked whether the front wing regulation changes could complicate setup balance, he was again pragmatic. “For us, not. I can say that with quite a lot of confidence. If you have a good car, you have a good car. The front wing bends a bit less—you can tune it around.”
Reflecting on their erratic Friday starts in recent races, Verstappen admitted the car remains sensitive to small setup changes. “It’s super easy to be out of the window, and then, when you get it right, everything works quite okay. But that window is super narrow.”
Season Outlook: Not One to Remember—Yet
While many fans see a title fight brewing, Verstappen doesn’t see it the same way. “It doesn’t really feel like a fight, to be honest. I just try to do my best. Have a bit of fun out there. But this season up until this point is not going to be in my memory forever.”
He continued, “Some races we are really off the pace, which is not enjoyable. The fighting spirit is still there—but that also doesn’t mean I’m enjoying it and loving it.”
On Future Circuits and Technical Influence
With rumors swirling that Barcelona could drop off the calendar, Verstappen expressed hope that wouldn’t happen. “I enjoy driving here. It’s a very good track. It would be a bit of a loss, especially for the drivers. Even the fan experience is nice in Barcelona.”
Looking ahead to the rest of the calendar, Verstappen made his preferences clear: “All the street circuits—I hate. I think the more higher-speed corners, that will be more competitive for us. We’ve won two races—both high-speed tracks—so I think it shows that’s where we are strong.”
As for Red Bull’s 2026 car, Verstappen hasn’t yet driven it in the simulator. “There is no real rush in trying it out,” he said, adding that development feedback has been ongoing. “You are fighting against your own references. You can think it’s amazing, but you actually have no idea.”
The Bigger Picture
Amid all the technical talk, Verstappen also addressed how personal life may have shifted his Formula One outlook—though he was quick to draw a boundary. “No, nothing to do with it,” he said when asked if becoming a father made racing feel less important. “Whatever I have in Formula One does not influence how I feel in private.”
Ultimately, Verstappen remains focused on getting the most out of each weekend: “If the car is capable of P5, I’ll put it in P5. If it’s capable of winning, I’ll win. I just approach it very simply—which also doesn’t eat up a lot of energy.”
