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Former Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has offered his verdict on the relationship beetween Max Verstappen and Red Bull after a difficult start to the 2025 season
Mav Verstappen and Red Bull have been advised to stick together amid their early season difficulty. Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel accepted that it is a decisive year for the star following his previous successes however.
Verstappen is under contract with Red Bull until 2028 but is believed to have a release clause in his deal. The Dutch racer has produced some impressive performances already in 2025, but is contending with a vehicle in the RB21 that is someway behind McLaren’s offering.
The 27-year-old reigning world champion sits third in the drivers’ championship behind Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris after five races. Verstappen took victory at the Japan Grand Prix but has watched on as the McLaren stars have stood atop the podium otherwise.
Speculation has mounted over the prospect of Verstappen making his Red Bull exit after nine years with the team. There would be no shortage of candidates.
Mercedes are said to be among the candidates interested in securing Verstappen‘s signature. Aston Martin are said to be preparing a record-breaking contract offer worth £225million over three years.
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Vettel believes Red Bull’s difficulties can spark a closer relationship between the parties however. “I think it’s the time when you really bond. It’s the time, after so many years, you are so close to each other,” Vettel told Sky F1 .
“Some people left and some people came, but whether you win championships or not is happening anyways, it’s the nature of F1.
“But now is the time where you stick together and you have the chance to bounce back.”
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Vettel had no shortage of compliments for his former rival however, and accepted that it is a decisive phase of his career. “Max has incredible talent, he has matured so much over the last couple of years,” he said.
“I think the way he’s constructing his races now is different to the past. It’s much smarter. The progression he’s made, it’s not the lap time or total performance.
“It’s more the consistency, the reliability that he’s there every time. The time he’s taking sometimes to do the move, waiting for when it’s the right time to wait.
“He sees the race in front, the opportunities he gets. If he doesn’t get the opportunity, then he’s back to the aggression.
“He has very good control of himself, and that makes him the strongest at the moment in the grid. Mixing those two, the aggression and the experience, together with the natural speed. it’s great to watch and obviously a decisive year for him.”
Despite speculation, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has said there has been no contact with Verstappen. “I’m super happy with the line-up we have, I couldn’t wish for anything better,” said the Austrian. “Max is at Red Bull, we haven’t had a conversation, we are continuing our trajectory.”
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