Even as recently as the end of 2024, the narrative was that Max Verstappen dragged a good but not the best car to another drivers' title and that Sergio Perez 's shocking season was down to a driver running low on confidence and a struggle to deal with a curious RB20 car.

Fernando Alonso has said that rumours linking Max Verstappen with a switch to Aston Martin are "very good for the team" but insists it is "very unlikely" the pair will ever be teammates.

Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen said he feels “very relaxed” amid speculation about his future with Red Bull, though he acknowledged on Thursday there is frustration within the team. Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko had raised concerns after last weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix that Verstappen could reconsider his future with the team if it couldn't provide a car capable of fighting for the title.