Max Verstappen is encountering a difficult 2025 season, struggling to keep pace with McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the title race. Persistent issues with Red Bull’s car have hindered Verstappen’s ability to compete at his usual level. Despite these setbacks, former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher emphasized that Verstappen remains in a class of his own when measuring performance standards in Formula 1.
Schumacher highlighted the clear gap between Verstappen and his current rivals, noting that Verstappen is known for his remarkable consistency and near absence of mistakes. In contrast, racers like Piastri and Norris tend to make noticeable errors, such as nearly colliding during the recent Hungarian Grand Prix. Schumacher also referenced former competitor Charles Leclerc, who was prone to similar errors when battling Verstappen in 2022.
“It’s noticeable: for example Piastri with the mistakes he makes. He almost caused another crash with Norris again, it was another close call — for the second time this season. Both Norris and Piastri, but also Leclerc in the past, have continuously made those small mistakes.” —Ralf Schumacher, Backstage Boxengasse podcast
Verstappen’s ability to avoid errors stands in stark contrast to his rivals. Schumacher pointed out that even in the previous year, when Verstappen’s car was not at its best and he was under intense pressure during the title fight, the four-time world champion maintained flawless driving. Schumacher concluded that Norris and Piastri have yet to reach Verstappen’s level of consistent excellence.
“When you look at Max Verstappen: he was the one, even last year, who did not make mistakes. Not even when the car was not perfect. They just can’t get anywhere near that yet. Verstappen sets the standard for everything. On good days, the other three are really there, but at other times small mistakes creep in again.” —Ralf Schumacher, Backstage Boxengasse podcast
The Pressure on Verstappen’s Rivals and Its Impact on Their Performance
Max Verstappen’s reign in Formula 1 over recent years has been marked by dominance, particularly since the introduction of the ground-effect regulations. The Dutch driver has claimed four World Championship titles and set numerous records, building a reputation as the fastest driver on the grid without significant pressure from competitors.
Ralf Schumacher suggested that the mistakes made by Norris and Piastri could be attributed to their efforts to push beyond their limits, striving to shave off crucial tenths of a second in pursuit of Verstappen’s unmatched pace. This ambition leads them to take more risks, which results in imperfections during races.
“Well, I want to defend them a little. You can call it mistakes, but you can also say: they’re pushing, they want to get that little extra out and establish themselves as the fastest driver. And don’t forget: Verstappen hasn’t had any real competition. This is not his fault, but his opponents.” —Ralf Schumacher, Backstage Boxengasse podcast
Schumacher attributed the current situation largely to the lack of serious challenges Verstappen has faced in recent years, which has allowed him to perfect his skills in a less pressured environment. In contrast, his rivals are still in the process of developing the precision and consistency needed to match Verstappen’s performance standard.
Verstappen’s Consistency Highlights the Gap to McLaren Drivers
Despite a difficult Red Bull car this season, Verstappen continues to deliver solid results, scoring nearly all of the team’s points. His consistent performances underscore why he remains the benchmark for excellence in F1 driving, a level that McLaren’s Norris and Piastri have yet to reach.
While on some occasions Norris and Piastri show promise and challenge Verstappen, their frequent small mistakes reveal a gap that Verstappen has managed to keep clear. His ability to maintain focus and avoid errors distinguishes him sharply from his closest competitors, further setting the bar for future challengers in the sport.
The Ongoing Battle in Formula 1 and What Lies Ahead
As the 2025 season unfolds, the rivalry between Verstappen, Norris, and Piastri remains intense, with the Dutchman still regarded as the driver setting the performance standard in Formula 1. The McLaren drivers are progressively improving, but their current error rate indicates the difficulty of reaching Verstappen’s level of mastery.
Given Verstappen’s track record and consistency under pressure, this season’s tough stretch may serve as a test of resilience rather than a shift in overall dominance. How Red Bull addresses its car problems will likely play a critical role in determining whether Verstappen can extend his championship reign or if emerging rivals will finally bridge the gap.
In the meantime, Verstappen’s continued excellence, even under less-than-ideal circumstances, reinforces why he remains the benchmark for performance in Formula 1 today.