Max Verstappen has contended that it is “not realistic” to think about winning the Formula 1 title with Red Bull in 2025 amid rumours that he is in talks with Mercedes.
Verstappen enters the Austrian Grand Prix in third in the Drivers’ Championship, 43 points behind Oscar Piastri, who has a 22-point lead over team-mate Lando Norris.
The Dutchman has been insistent since April that he’s not in contention to retain the crown, though, amid the visible pace advantage McLaren boasts with the MCL39.
But while he outscored both McLaren drivers via a second place at the previous round in Canada, Verstappen’s stance on his title prospects has remained unchanged.
“With the standings and how it looks now, then that’s [the title] not very realistic,” Verstappen addressed. “I’m very honest about that.
“But I’ll make the best of every weekend anyway and then I’ll just go home again.
“Every time I start a weekend, of course I always go full out and always try to get the maximum out of it.
“I can very easily turn on and off, so very easily turn that switch. When I cross the line, then the setting goes ‘off’ again.”
When asked whether he considers it a miracle that he remains the closest challenger to the McLaren pairing this season, Verstappen answered: “I think so, yes.”
Verstappen discarded the notion that McLaren’s consecutive podium run ending in Montreal is an indication that the gap to the reigning champions has been slashed.
“Well, at McLaren they are always very good with the tyres when they get very hot,” he highlighted.
“In Montreal, that’s generally a little less the case, so it’s kind of explainable.
“We also had a few races in our dominant years where it was more difficult, that can happen.
“It can sometimes be that a car is just not quite right on a particular track, but overall of course is still the dominant factor.”
Pressed on whether McLaren’s blip gave him hope that the Woking-based squad is more vulnerable than thought, he retorted: “No, absolutely not. Absolutely not.”
Red Bull updates not expected to close McLaren gap
Red Bull will introduce more upgrades to the RB21 on home soil in Austria this weekend as it prepares to switch attention to the upcoming regulation change in 2026.
But with McLaren also unleashing new parts at the Red Bull Ring, Verstappen has warned that the benchmark that Red Bull is pursuing is primed to be elevated again.
“Hopefully it will help, but I don’t know if it will be enough,” he added. “We have to wait and see.
“Those others are obviously not standing still either and you have to keep that in the back of your mind as well.
“We’re going to see, actually in the coming races until the summer break.”
Verstappen insists Red Bull future ‘not in my mind’
Verstappen had insisted Red Bull’s development across the summer would be “decisive” as rumours continue to circulate about whether he will remain with the team.
The reigning F1 champion has been connected with a potential move to Mercedes, and George Russell has hinted that the two parties are embroiled in renewed talks.
But when asked whether he expects to be at Red Bull in 2026, Verstappen stated: “I don’t think we need to talk about that. You want me to repeat what I said last year?
“Again, it’s not really in my mind. I’m just driving, trying to push the performance, and then we focus on next year.”
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