Verstappen reveals what he needs to secure his fifth title in 2025

Reigning champion Max Verstappen has revealed what he needs to be able to fight for his fifth F1 championship title amid McLaren's current dominant form.

Max Verstappen endured an up-and-down start to his 2025 F1 season. The reigning champion has secured two victories so far, having won in Suzuka and Imola while he also secured three second-place finishes in China, Japan and Canada.

The Dutch driver has collected a total of 155 points so far, and sits now 43 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri and 21 points away from McLaren's British driver Lando Norris.

Asked what he needs to be able to launch a proper attack on the McLaren drivers and fight for his fifth consecutive championship title, Verstappen reckoned that Red Bull need to raise their competitive level.

"A lot needs to happen for that, to be honest. We need to start winning races more often. And how do we do that? By being more competitive. Now, this was a good weekend, but again, not competitive enough.

"Like I said before, we have our moments where maybe we can win here or there, but we just need to make the car faster. Then we make it a lot easier for ourselves."

"We're working hard on it with the team. Of course, bits are coming, but is it going to be enough? I don't know. It's small margins in this world that can give you better results every single weekend.

Signing off with a word for his expectations, Verstappen sounded a pessimistic note: "But what I think so far, what McLaren has shown this whole season is quite extraordinary and difficult to beat.

"So now, okay, one weekend is not as good, but they are still by far the favourites. And that's not going to be something that is easily beaten. But the coming races, we really want to try and improve our car."