Verstappen focused on ‘one race at a time’ – shrugs off title chase

©RedBull

40

Max Verstappen may be a four-time world champion with a fifth perhaps on the horizon, but don’t expect the Dutchman to start crunching championship math anytime soon.

After a challenging Monaco Grand Prix weekend that saw Red Bull on the back foot, the Dutch dynamo made it clear: he’s not obsessing over the standings – he’s just taking it “race by race.”

Despite finishing a modest fourth in Monte Carlo, Verstappen was anything but disheartened. While Oscar Piastri extended his lead at the top of the table to 25 points, Verstappen in third place is keeping his focus laser-sharp and his outlook grounded.

Struggles in the Principality

“Well, honestly, I don’t really think about the championship. I just want to go race by race,” Verstappen said, brushing aside talk of a fifth title like it was a mid-race radio distraction.

Red Bull’s struggle with low-speed corners left its star driver on the defensive all weekend.

Qualifying behind the McLarens and Ferraris, the team tried to gamble with strategy – keeping Verstappen out until the very end of Lap 77 in hopes of a late twist. None came, and a long stint couldn’t elevate him past fourth.

©RedBull

“Of course, some tracks, you might be a bit more competitive, and some you will struggle a bit more. And I think it was clear that, again, in Monaco, we struggled,” he explained.

“But honestly, every year we have struggled here with this new generation of cars. Only in ’23 we had a massive pace advantage, and then you still win the race. But all the other years for me, personally, have always been a big struggle.”

Eyes on the Road, Not the Trophy

Although missing out on a podium is rarely satisfying for a driver of Verstappen’s calibre, he recognized the effort Red Bull made with the tools they had.

“I think considering our pace the whole weekend, we did a good job,” he said.

“But yeah, I think as a team, of course, we’re never happy with P4. But we also have to accept [it] when we know our limitations with the car.”

Read also: F1i Driver Ratings for the 2025 Monaco GP

With the Spanish Grand Prix up next – a track that should better suit Red Bull’s strengths in high-speed corners – Verstappen isn’t dwelling on what’s behind or what lies months ahead.

He’s racing in the moment, one Sunday at a time.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.