Max Verstappen alarmed over Red Bull’s ‘wake-up call’ in 2024

Max Verstappen had a tough time during 2024 as rivals closed up to Red Bull during the season, sending a wake-up call within the team.

Max Verstappen alarmed over Red Bull’s ‘wake-up call’ in 2024

Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko, and Christian Horner (Via: Imago)

The 2024 season was full of rollercoasters. Red Bull found itself in the development race as an array of upgrades failed to deliver. This aided McLaren to dethrone the Austrian giant. Though Max Verstappen was able to salvage his fourth world championship, he admitted that the team was awakened from their deep slumber after the campaign gave them a wake-up call.

At the season opener in Bahrain, Red Bull did not even have to run the car at its full potential and won the Grand Prix with a handsome lead. On the other hand, mid-way through the campaign at Monza, Max Verstappen had struggled to finish P6. Witnessing the starkly different trends of Red Bull’s 2024 season, experts don’t expect them to be the favorite in 2025.

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Moreover, this list also includes the Dutchman who doesn’t have faith that the team will begin the next season as the favorite. But, expect them to make a jump after the wake-up call they received in 2024.

I am not expecting us to go into next season as the favorite, but that’s a good challenge, I like it. We went into the 2024 season as favourites and maybe it is good for us as a team, like a little wake-up call like: Come on guys, we have to be on it, and it is a nice challenge to try and be back on top.

Max Verstappen said (via RacingNews365)

All while, McLaren is aiming to retain its lead over its competitors. The Woking-based outfit won a constructors’ title after a drought of almost three decades. Thus, Red Bull would start the next season on the back foot with its rivals stepping up the game over the previous season.

Max Verstappen would return to the grid with a different mentality

While the 27-year-old is known for his fierce mentality, he has spent a decade racing in F1. He is now expecting his first child next year and would probably like to spend some time with his family. This would inevitably lead to a change in his mentality.

Red Bull crew celebrating Max Verstappen's 2024 championship victory (via Red Bull)
Red Bull crew celebrating Max Verstappen’s 2024 championship victory (via Red Bull)

Verstappen’s comments about winning his fifth world championship gives a hint at it. He wants to enjoy the aspect of racing more than achieving milestones.

I don’t really think about [becoming a five-time champion] too much, I just want to enjoy it, see where we are in the beginning of the year and trust the team.

Max Verstappen said (via RacingNews365)

On the other hand, the reigning champion has made a special request to Red Bull to spice things up for next season. He has urged the team to make a change in its livery and go away from its usual makeup every year around.