Max Verstappen has expressed optimism about Red Bull’s 2025 Formula 1 car, claiming it is a substantial improvement over its predecessor. However, the Dutch driver did not shy away from admitting that the 2024 season had set a remarkably low benchmark, stating bluntly that nothing could be “worse than last year.”

Despite securing his fourth world title in 2024, Verstappen and Red Bull endured a challenging season. The team suffered a dramatic mid-season slump, dropping to third place in the constructors’ championship behind McLaren and Ferrari. While Verstappen m anaged to maintain his dominance in the driver’s standings, Red Bull’s overall performance was hindered by a car that lacked consistency, proving to be unpredictable and difficult to balance. The struggles resulted in the team winning only two of the last 14 grands prix, a stark contrast to their commanding start, where they claimed victory in seven of the opening 10 races.

Speaking at the pre-season testing in Bahrain ahead of the 2025 campaign, Verstappen was cautiously optimistic about the improvements Red Bull has made. He noted that the new car felt better in all aspects, though he acknowledged that the standard for improvement was not particularly high given the issues that plagued their 2024 challenger.

“It can’t be worse than last year,” Verstappen stated on the second day of testing. “So I think the direction we are working in is good. We just need to follow that and see how much we can extract. At the moment, it’s still early days—there are a lot of things we are still discussing and looking to improve. But yesterday, I enjoyed it, and that’s already a big difference from last year.”

Red Bull’s struggles in 2024 marked a significant departure from their dominance in 2023, when Verstappen cruised to the title by winning an astonishing 19 out of 22 races. However, last season revealed cracks in the team’s development strategy, and Verstappen’s frustration with the car was evident throughout the latter half of the year. For the first time in years, Red Bull found itself outpaced by its rivals, particularly McLaren and Ferrari, whose rapid progress exposed the weaknesses in Red Bull’s package.

When asked about his role in the development of the 2025 car, Verstappen admitted that while some cars require minimal driver influence, the shortcomings of last year’s model necessitated significant changes. He revealed that both he and the team recognized the issues early on and worked diligently to address them in the new design.

“Some cars don’t need much influence,” Verstappen explained. “But for myself and the team, at some point last year, we knew something was up. Of course, a few things had to be addressed, and that’s why quite a few things have changed. So I give my feedback on what I need—the car needs to go faster, and that’s what we try to apply.”

He further emphasized that Red Bull has learned valuable lessons from their difficult 2024 campaign. The team has attempted to rectify its past mistakes, but Verstappen remains cautious, stating that real performance can only be judged once the season gets underway.

“I think the team learned a lot from last year. We tried to solve those problems, and now we have to see how the car performs in Australia, which is a completely different circuit compared to Bahrain.”

The Australian Grand Prix will serve as the first true test of Red Bull’s improvements, as the Albert Park circuit presents a unique challenge with its combination of high-speed corners and technical sections. While pre-season testing provides valuable data, the true competitiveness of the 2025 Red Bull will only be determined once the racing begins.

Red Bull’s ability to bounce back will be critical in a season where Ferrari and McLaren appear poised to mount serious title challenges. With a revamped car and renewed determination, Verstappen and his team will be eager to reclaim their position at the top of the sport. However, whether the 2025 challenger is truly capable of returning Red Bull to its dominant form remains an open question—one that will be answered when the lights go out in Melbourne.