Max Verstappen will have the chance to match a significant Formula 1 achievement in the upcoming 2025 season, as he looks to equal Michael Schumacher’s record for the most consecutive F1 World Championships. Heading into 2025, Verstappen is coming off a strong 2024 campaign where he clinched his fourth straight world title. Despite intense competition from McLaren and Lando Norris in the latter stages of the season, Verstappen’s early-season dominance and consistent performance, even when driving a car that wasn’t the fastest on the grid, secured him another championship victory.
The Dutch driver’s victory over Norris, although hard-fought, allowed him to seal the title in Las Vegas with two rounds to spare. However, the season wasn’t without challenges. Verstappen had to deal with car performance issues and the off-track drama and political turmoil that surrounded Red Bull for much of the year.
Matching Schumacher’s Record in 2025
Verstappen will have the chance to match the record for the most consecutive World Championships, a feat currently held by legendary Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher. Schumacher won five consecutive titles from 2000 to 2004. Verstappen’s rival, Lewis Hamilton, also enjoyed a dominant stretch, winning four consecutive titles between 2017 and 2020.
A successful defense of his title in 2025 would place Verstappen in equal standing with Schumacher’s five consecutive titles. It would also put him in striking distance of the all-time joint-record for most World Championships, currently held by both Schumacher and Hamilton with seven titles each. A fifth consecutive world title would elevate Verstappen above fellow four-time champions Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost, tying him with the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio on the all-time list.
Verstappen’s Focus Is on Success, Not Records
While such a historic achievement looms large, Verstappen has downplayed the significance of these records, emphasizing that his primary focus remains on winning races and championships rather than breaking records.
“I would like to win, yeah, but it’s not about the targets of winning five in a row or winning how many in total,” Verstappen shared in an interview on Red Bull’s Talking Bull podcast.
He continued, “But for me, I’m in a team that I think is capable of winning those championships, and I’m very excited about what we come up with again for next year. I hope it’s quick enough. I know when it’s quick enough that I’ll do the rest, but I just hope that we are competitive. That we are back up there again, and you know, we can have a lot of incredible moments together.”
Stiff Competition in 2025
As Verstappen eyes his fifth consecutive title, he will face stiff competition from rival teams like McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. McLaren, having finished the 2024 season with the fastest car and clinched the Constructors' Championship for the first time since 1998, are considered early favorites for the 2025 season.
Regardless of the challenges, Verstappen remains focused on his team’s competitiveness and the possibility of more unforgettable moments on track.