P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Red Bull made one fatal error which cost Max Verstappen the F1 world title
A former F1 team principal claimed that Max Verstappen would have won the 2025 world championship if Red Bull hadn’t made a crucial error, with Verstappen finishing only two points behind Lando Norris.
Despite driving a more inconsistent car than Norris, Verstappen won more races and his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, struggled to find pace all season, resulting in Red Bull finishing third in the constructors’ standings.
Former Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer believes Verstappen would have won the title if Sergio Perez had remained his teammate in 2025, as Perez had previously helped Red Bull win back-to-back constructor titles.
Verstappen’s future at Red Bull is uncertain, with rumors suggesting possible moves to Mercedes or McLaren due to the team’s struggles in the 2026 season under the new regulations.
Although contracted until the end of 2028, Verstappen’s performance and potential opportunities with other teams may lead to a change in his long-term racing plans.
