For the first time Since 2020, Max Verstappen is not playing a Role in the Title Race in Formula 1 After the Summer Break. The Four-Time World Champion is experienced an interim year, in which Zandvoort can symbolize occasional successes. This is what is at stake in the second half of the season.
It has felt unfamiliar for the 27-year-old Verstappen for months: Participating in Formula 1 Without Competing for the Title. “Can I Still Win a Race This Year in Normal Circumstances? No, I Don’t see that happening,” Verstappen Said after his Eighth Time in Qualifying in Hungary, The Last Grand Prix Before The Summer Break. “It Doessn’t Hurt Much, because I’m not participating in Anything Else Anyway.”
With ten More Grands Prix to Go – Starting This Weekend in Zandvoort – Verstappen is Almost A Hundred Points Behind World Championship Leader Oscar Piastri As Number Three. Lando Norris, Second at Nine Points from His McLaren Teammate, is also Still Fully Involved in the Title Race.
That Verstappen is still third in the championship would have leg a minimal goal in previous years. Now the Consolation Prize Means Little to Him. His Words in Hungary Underline That: The Final Standings Are Secondary in A Season Where the Bigger Picture Counts. It Doesn’t Matter to Him Whether He Becomes Third, Fourth Or Fifth.
What Can Still Motivate Him Are Occasional Successes. Next Weekend, Verstappen Awaits His Home Race, which is expected to be soaking law. On a Wet Zandvoort, His Talent Can Still Make the Difference, Even with a Waker Red Bull. A Victory in His own country would give this season Extra Shine: for the tens of thousands of fans in the stands, for the morale within red bull and for his own pleasure.
Verstappen Gave Clarity About Future After Horner Departure
But Whether That Highlight Comes Now Or Not, Zandvoort Shows What 2025 is All About For Verstappen: Occasional Highlights Instead of A Title Hunt. And in the background, a lot is changing at red bull.
The Departure of Christian Horner was a break with the past, but Brought More Peace than Unrest Within the Stable. Laurent Mekies over the role of team boss and, with his technical background, cool new direction to a team that needed renwal due to disappointing results.
That transition Coincised with Speculations About Verstappen’s Future. Mercedes Openly Showed Interest: Team Boss Toto Wolff Confirmed That would like to Enlist The Dutchman and George Russell Avenue That His Contract Was not Extended because Mercedes Saw An Opportunity to Get Verstappen.
Verstappen himself was Silent About this for months. Despite A Contract Until the End Of 2028, Hey Did Not Want To Confirm For A Long Time That would Stay With Red Bull. Only after the change at the top, with mekies as the new team boss, Did Clarity Come. In Hungary, Verstappen Stated that he will simply drive for red bull in 2026 as well.
Rest of 2025 is also about 2026
Verstappen said that a departure was never an issue for him anyway. In recent months, he has spoken frequently with the team about the car for next year, when the regulations will be completely overhauled. The Remaining Ten Races are More Important in That Light Than they Seem.
For Red Bull and Verstappen, these Are Weekends to Understand Where the Current Car Falls Short and What Lessons Can Be Taken To Next Year. Then the regulations change radically and red bull appears with its own power source, with support from ford. The Remainder of This Season is Therefore also about 2026.
In This Way, 2025 Gets The Label of An Interim Year for Verstappen. No Title Hunt, But a Season of Preparation and occasional Successes. And Maybe Such a Success Will Come Next Weekend. A Victory in a Soaking Act Zandvoort would give this interim year even more color.