P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Verstappen rivals handed ‘gloves are off’ warning ahead of new season
Max Verstappen will enter the new F1 season with the mindset that the “gloves are off” as Red Bull adjusts to their new F1 reality, as foreseen by Anthony Davidson. Verstappen dominated the 2023 season with 19 wins out of 22 races and initially won seven out of the first 10 races of 2024, but faced challenges later on. Towards the end of the 2024 season, Red Bull lost its performance advantage to McLaren and Ferrari, though Verstappen managed to secure his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship. Davidson believes that now Verstappen and Red Bull understand the new circumstances, they will come back stronger in 2025. Expectations are high for the new season, with Red Bull and Verstappen aiming to continue their winning momentum from the previous year despite increased competition.
