As the 2025 Formula 1 season approaches, Max Verstappen and Red Bull are preparing to make a strong start, hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 campaign. The season opener will take place at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, but the 2024 season left a bitter taste for the team in the standings, particularly with Red Bull facing unexpected competition.
Verstappen, who had an incredible run, clinching his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship, enters the new season with a new teammate, Liam Lawson. This change comes after Red Bull decided to part ways with Sergio Perez following a string of subpar performances in 2024. Perez, who had enjoyed a solid partnership with Verstappen in previous seasons, endured a difficult campaign last year. He struggled to deliver consistent results, finishing the season with back-to-back retirements and a disappointing eighth-place finish in the drivers’ standings, far behind Verstappen. In contrast, Verstappen’s dominance continued with yet another title, though the year wasn’t without challenges.
The 2024 season marked Verstappen’s toughest yet, as he faced fierce competition from McLaren’s Lando Norris. While Norris was unable to surpass Verstappen in the standings, he claimed four Grand Prix victories and kept the reigning champion on his toes throughout the year. This was the first time since Verstappen’s title win in 2021 that he had significant pressure from other drivers. The season also saw a more competitive grid, with seven different drivers from four different teams standing on the top step of the podium—highlighting a shift in the balance of power in the sport.
Red Bull’s dominance, which had been nearly unchallenged since Verstappen’s rise to the top, appeared to be on the decline. This change was welcomed by many in the F1 world, including former Red Bull driver and motorsport veteran, Gerhard Berger. Speaking to Auto Motor und Sport, Berger expressed his satisfaction with the more competitive nature of the 2024 season. He noted that Verstappen finally had real competition from other teams, which he believes was a positive development for the sport.
Berger pointed out that the era of single-team dominance, like that of Ferrari with Michael Schumacher, Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton, and Red Bull with Verstappen, was beginning to fade. While this dominance is good for the team and the driver, from a fan’s perspective, it often became predictable and less exciting. “Everything revolved around one man,” Berger said, adding that the sport needed more variety to maintain interest. He acknowledged that while fans may enjoy seeing a driver like Verstappen dominate, the spectacle of the sport is enriched when multiple teams and drivers can challenge for victory.
He also reflected on his own disillusionment with Formula 1 during its periods of dominance. Berger admitted that for years, he had found the predictability of F1 races less engaging, even turning to MotoGP, where the outcomes were often uncertain until the very last corner. “For many years, I preferred to watch MotoGP because I didn’t know who would win until the last corner,” he revealed. In contrast, F1 races often felt decided early in the race, especially when one driver or team had a clear advantage. However, he is hopeful that the 2024 season marked a turning point for the sport. The increased competition, with new winners and teams stepping up, brought back excitement and unpredictability to Formula 1 racing.
The potential for more variety and surprises in the coming seasons has Berger optimistic about the future of F1. As new teams emerge and current rivals continue to improve, he believes the sport could regain the level of excitement and suspense that fans crave. The recent changes, including Red Bull’s tougher battles and Verstappen’s facing challenges, could signal a new era of more competitive racing in Formula 1.
As the 2025 season looms, with Verstappen entering with a fresh challenge from Lawson and a reshuffled team dynamic, the landscape of F1 may be shifting. Red Bull’s dominance could be under threat, and with other teams closing the gap, the upcoming season promises to deliver thrilling action. Fans are hopeful that the changes will lead to a more balanced and exciting competition, ensuring that the sport remains as engaging as ever.
