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Verstappen on the brink of historic fifth championship
Max Verstappen could secure his fifth Formula 1 world title in Abu Dhabi this weekend, capping a season marked by one of motorsport's most remarkable comebacks. Just eight races ago, the Dutch driver trailed championship leader Lando Norris by 104 points. Now, he sits 12 points behind Norris and four ahead of McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri as the trio heads into a three-way title decider-the first in a season finale since 2010.
The mindset of a champion
Speaking to BBC Sport at Yas Marina Circuit, Verstappen exuded calm confidence despite the high stakes. "It's still not in my control, but at least there is a fight," he said. While winning the title would be "nice," he insisted he wouldn't "be crying in a corner" if he fell short. "I know that I had a really good season, and that's fine."
His resilience has been a defining theme of 2025. After Piastri's victory at the Dutch Grand Prix left Verstappen seemingly out of contention, Red Bull's mid-season resurgence-coupled with McLaren's late stumbles-revived his hopes. "All of it," Verstappen said when asked about the key factors behind his revival. "McLaren having two drivers competing, their mistakes, Norris and Piastri not performing as well, and our own recovery."
"I'm too driven. Because I never settle for not good enough."
Max Verstappen
Relentless pursuit of perfection
Verstappen's dominance in the latter half of the season-five wins, a second, and two thirds in the last eight races-has drawn comparisons to a horror movie villain. McLaren CEO Zak Brown described him as "relentless," a label Verstappen dismissed with characteristic detachment. "I don't pay a lot of attention to it. I just do my thing. I drive as fast as I can."
His consistency, he attributes to his upbringing. "It's probably been drilled in me from when I was a kid," he said, crediting his father, Jos Verstappen, a former F1 driver. "My mentality has always been the same. I know what to do; it's just about having the right tools."
That mentality was tested earlier this year when frustration boiled over at the Spanish Grand Prix. After Red Bull fitted the wrong tires under a late safety car, Verstappen collided with George Russell's Mercedes, earning a 10-second penalty that dropped him from fifth to 10th. "I could have just let everyone by, but that's not how I am," he admitted. "I always give 100%. The reaction wasn't ideal, but it's a learning moment."
Red Bull's mid-season turnaround
Verstappen's resurgence coincided with a leadership shake-up at Red Bull. Team principal Christian Horner was replaced by Laurent Mekies in July, a move Verstappen described as a "big shock" but necessary for the team's direction. "Christian and I had a great relationship, but the team was in a tough spot. Sometimes a change is needed."
Mekies, a more technically focused leader, brought fresh scrutiny to the car's development. "Maybe more questions were asked on the technical side," Verstappen noted. The shift paid off, with Red Bull closing the performance gap to McLaren.
Amid the turmoil, Verstappen briefly explored a move to Mercedes but ultimately re-signed with Red Bull. "This feels like a second family," he said. "A change isn't just about a faster car; it's about everything around my career. But the talks were always friendly and open."
Title race dynamics and legacy
Verstappen acknowledged that this season, while his "best" in terms of performance, has also been frustrating. "We weren't quick enough at times," he said. Yet, he takes pride in extracting results that "probably weren't realistic" on some weekends. "I've tried to be more all-round-learning about the car, myself, and even racing outside F1."
As for the title decider, he ruled out aggressive tactics like those employed by Lewis Hamilton in 2016 or Michael Schumacher in his prime. "We just want to do our best race. The rest isn't in our control." When asked which rival he'd prefer to see win if he falls short, he shrugged: "I really don't care. I hope it's a great race weekend."
What's next
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix runs from December 5-7, with live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and text updates on the BBC Sport website. Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri will battle for the title in a finale that could redefine the season's narrative.
