Max Verstappen remains cautious about his chances in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship despite winning the Sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix on Saturday. After securing his first win since the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in May by narrowly beating Oscar Piastri by seven-tenths, Verstappen acknowledged the challenges ahead in his title defense doubts.
Racing at Spa-Francorchamps, Verstappen faces a substantial points deficit to the championship leader Oscar Piastri, trailing by 68 points as the season moves into its second half. Despite this gap, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko remains optimistic, but Verstappen offers a more grounded perspective.
Verstappen’s Perspective on Marko’s Optimism
After his Sprint win, Verstappen quickly shifted focus as qualifying for the main Grand Prix placed him in fourth position, more than three-tenths behind pole-sitter Lando Norris. Reflecting on Marko’s upbeat messages, Verstappen responded firmly to remarks that the championship battle was still ongoing.
“I understand that you have to be positive about it. On the other hand, I am always very realistic about what I feel in the car. And when I look at certain onboards of other cars, I know enough.”
—Max Verstappen
Despite Marko’s encouragement, Verstappen made clear that optimism alone does not influence performance during a race weekend. His pointed statement,
“Helmut is not in the car!”
underscores the difference between external confidence and the driver’s own experience on track.
Qualifying Challenges and On-Track Realities
During qualifying at Spa, Verstappen’s mistakes affected his starting position, with two notable errors in the final session. Marko observed that without the slip-ups—a serious one in Turn 1 and another wobble in Turn 5—Verstappen could have secured a third-place grid spot.
“The conclusion is generally very, very good,”
Marko commented, adding that the team had four cars within the top ten, reflecting Red Bull’s strong overall showing despite individual incidents.
“So if the weather forecast is right and it’s raining, I think we can fight for victory.”
However, Verstappen remains skeptical about the impact of weather conditions, especially the rain, which Marko believes would favor their chances.
“Normally not because McLaren is even stronger in the wet than in the dry, because the overheating is even bigger, of course, on an intermediate so they have that really well under control,”
Verstappen explained, pointing to McLaren’s competitive advantage under wet conditions.
Realistic Goals for the Belgian Grand Prix
Looking ahead to the race, Verstappen identified a podium finish as a realistic aim rather than outright victory, given the current competition and his own circumstances.
“For me, the goal is at least P3.”
He also emphasized the tactical challenge of dry-weather racing at Spa, where getting stuck in a DRS train can hinder overtaking opportunities.
Verstappen anticipates that his main on-track battle will be with Charles Leclerc, acknowledging the difficulty of surpassing McLaren if held up.
“So yeah, just need to target a podium. I think that’s realistic.”
Implications for Verstappen’s Title Defense and the Season Ahead
With a significant points gap and strong competitors like Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc, Verstappen’s cautious outlook signals a pragmatic approach as Red Bull strategizes its next moves. His measured assessment contrasts with Marko’s optimism, reflecting the high stakes and intense pressure in the 2025 championship battle.
The coming races at Spa and beyond will be crucial for Verstappen to close the points gap while managing the fine margins that define the championship fight. How he navigates this mid-season phase could determine the viability of his title defense amid stiff competition and unpredictable race conditions.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Max Verstappen a millionaire?
A. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Verstappen is worth about $200 million.
Q. Is Max Verstappen rich?
A. Max Verstappen has earned $217 million (£163 million). He joined the Red Bull Racing team in 2016 and made a strong impression. He became the F1 world champion in 2021, securing his spot among top drivers. He also won the championship again in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Q. What is Max Verstappen’s baby gender?
A. Max Verstappen and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet recently had a baby girl named Lily. Red Bull boss Christian Horner said this won’t affect Verstappen’s racing performance.
Q. What gender is Max Verstappen’s baby?
A. Verstappen and Piquet have shared the news of their baby girl, Lily’s birth. They first revealed they were expecting before the 2024 season finale in Abu Dhabi. Lily is now a younger sister to Piquet’s other daughter, Penelope.