Verstappen says Red Bull ‘definitely need to improve’ if they are to fight for 2025 titles

Max Verstappen has made it clear that there are still “a lot of things” Red Bull need to improve on their RB21 package to keep in touch with McLaren and challenge for overall honours this season.

Reigning Teams’ Champions McLaren started 2025 in style via back-to-back race wins in Australia and China, with many in the F1 paddock backing them to charge to both World Championship titles.

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However, last time out in Japan, Verstappen produced a brilliant Qualifying lap and Grand Prix performance to beat Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to pole position and victory – breaking the papaya team’s run.

Added to a podium and P4 finish at the first two races, it leaves Verstappen just one point off the championship lead as he chases what would be a fifth successive individual title.

Reflecting on his and Red Bull’s first triumph of the year, Verstappen said: “It’s a good motivation for the team, but we are still looking into how we can improve our car quickly.

“It’s nice to have that little motivation boost, but we are very aware of what our limitations are, and we know we still have to work on that. Hopefully every weekend we can make tiny progressions.”

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Asked what he expects from rivals McLaren in Bahrain, and whether he sees a chance for more glory should their drivers be scrapping with each other, the Dutchman said: “If we have that pace, yes, but at the moment it’s very difficult to say.

“If you look at everything, they [McLaren] are more all-round, and it just seems like it’s a bit easier to set up [their car] as well.

“It’s still a very long season, a lot of things that we want to work on with the car, and hopefully step by step we just make it more competitive.”

And, pushed if he can defend his championship crown with the second or third best car in the field, Verstappen stated: “No, we definitely need to improve to be able to fight for a title.

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“It’s great that we are one point behind, but I think it’s more that we just maximised our weekends quite well so far. To really fight for a title, we need to find more performance.”

While Verstappen sits second to Norris in the Drivers’ Standings, Red Bull hold third in the Teams’ battle – 50 points off leaders McLaren.