Max Verstappen's rallying call: Consistency is key in the 2025 F1 title race

Max Verstappen has issued a clear rallying call to his Red Bull Racing team, they must now be ahead consistently if they are to claw back the deficit in this season’s Formula 1 title race.

The defending champion sits 36 points behind McLaren’s Lando Norris in the standings, with only a handful of races left in the 2025 campaign. After a late surge of form, Verstappen knows that nothing short of constant front-running will be enough to keep his championship hopes alive.

“We just try to do everything we can until the end,” Verstappen said ahead of this weekend’s São Paulo Grand Prix. “If we want to close that down further, we need to be ahead constantly now, and that, I think, will be a big challenge.”

The Dutchman’s remarks come after a season of highs and lows for Red Bull. A shaky start saw Verstappen more than 100 points adrift earlier in the year, prompting doubts about whether the team could mount a comeback.

But a strong run of podiums and a return to form in recent races have reignited the fight.

“To still be talking about being in this fight, I think, is already remarkable in the first place,” Verstappen reflected. "When you’re over 100 points behind and we’re still talking about the championship, I think that’s very impressive," said Verstappen. 

Despite his competitive tone, Verstappen insists he is not feeling the pressure. “For me there’s no stress. Even if I don’t win it, I know I’ve driven a really good season,” he added. “Of course, you always want to win, but we can only focus on what’s in front of you, getting everything right each weekend.”

With four rounds remaining, including two sprint weekends, Verstappen’s path to a fourth consecutive title is steep but not impossible. Red Bull must now match McLaren’s consistency and eliminate the minor errors that have cost them points.

For Verstappen, every qualifying session, every lap, and every strategic call must now count.

“If we want to win more, we need to be more competitive. We need to be ahead constantly, that’s the only way to stay in this fight," the champion said.