Max Verstappen’s £10 Million Value to Red Bull Revealed Amid 2025 T… read more
Red Bull Racing’s reigning world champion Max Verstappen has been described as a driver worth £10 million in car development alone, according to former AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) team principal Franz Tost. Despite a challenging start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, Verstappen remains a formidable contender in the championship, currently trailing leader Oscar Piastri by just 12 points.
Speaking to Sport1, Tost praised Verstappen’s extraordinary driving talent and claimed that his sheer speed, technical insight, and adaptability provide Red Bull with an immense competitive advantage—equivalent to what teams would typically spend millions to achieve through car upgrades.
“Max Verstappen would win even with a tractor,” Tost stated. “Last year, Max did a test with a Ferrari GT race car and was immediately two seconds faster than the rest. He has a feel for speed, incredible vision, incredible vehicle control, and an incredible feel for a car – no matter which one.”
According to Tost, Verstappen’s impact goes beyond just his driving performance. He brings a unique ability to fine-tune any car to suit his style, extracting performance that others may not be able to find. “He would therefore immediately get along with any Formula 1 car,” Tost continued. “Of course, he will then fine-tune the car to best suit his driving style.”
Tost emphasized just how valuable this ability is to a Formula 1 team, equating Verstappen’s skillset to around £10 million in car development. “You can’t usually achieve a step like that with an update,” he explained. “Unless you happen to find a miracle component. It usually takes a very long time to make your car 0.3 seconds faster per lap. Over the course of a year, that costs £10 million. At least.”
Despite Red Bull’s struggles with the RB21 in 2025, Verstappen has managed to keep the team in the title picture. His resilience and consistency have been critical in preventing the team from slipping too far behind. So far this season, Verstappen has secured one victory, two pole positions, and three podium finishes. His lowest race result to date has been sixth place—highlighting just how consistent he has been even with a less competitive car.
His performances become even more impressive when compared with those of his teammates. Former stand-in Liam Lawson, who replaced an unwell Sergio Pérez in Australia and China, failed to finish inside the top ten in either outing. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, who has shown flashes of pace in the RB21, has only managed a best result of ninth place while driving for Red Bull in 2025.
Verstappen’s results have masked many of Red Bull’s underlying issues, especially as the team has struggled to adapt to the latest technical regulations and fend off growing competition from McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes. The fact that he remains firmly in the title fight is testament to his skill and determination.
Looking ahead, the question remains: can Verstappen go on to win the 2025 championship? If he continues to perform at this level and Red Bull can deliver any meaningful upgrades in the second half of the season, there is every chance he could add another title to his growing legacy.
What’s clear, though, is that Verstappen remains Red Bull’s most valuable asset—on and off the track. As Franz Tost so aptly put it, Verstappen’s presence alone is the equivalent of a £10 million boost in car performance. And with the championship battle heating up, Red Bull will need every bit of that advantage if they hope to reclaim the top spot in Formula 1.
