Vettel reveals what ‘scares’ him about Max Verstappen

Sebastian Vettel knows a four-time Formula 1 world champion when he sees one – and, perhaps more importantly, when he sees one evolving. That’s why the German admits he’s slightly unnerved by what Max Verstappen is doing in 2025.

With two races left, Verstappen has somehow dragged himself back into contention for a record-equalling fifth straight crown despite Red Bull spending much of the year on the back foot against McLaren.

The Dutchman sits 24 points behind Lando Norris with 58 still up for grabs, thanks in large part to McLaren’s dramatic double disqualification in Las Vegas and Verstappen’s ruthless victory that followed.

For Vettel, Verstappen’s persistence – and improvement – defy normal logic.

‘The scary thing is he’s getting better’

Vettel didn’t hold back on a recent Beyond the Grid podcast when asked about Verstappen’s form.

“I think the scary thing is he's getting better,” he said. “We know he's good but he's still improving. He's still hungry, he's still willing to learn.

“I think he's working very hard behind the scenes as well and that's what makes him so strong.”

“Of course, he's blessed with a lot of talent on top of that but even if he's one of the most talented drivers on the grid I think what ultimately makes him so strong, it's a combination.”

And then comes what Vettel considers Verstappen’s true superpower – his mentality.

“But the key ingredient is his head. In the key situations where it matters, he keeps his head, hardly ever makes a mistake, delivers when he needs to,” he added.

Pressure, Vettel says, isn’t absent for Verstappen – he simply knows where to put it.

“He feels the pressure, we all do. I don't think it's possible you don't feel the pressure, but he's able to find space in his head where he's able to put that to a side and focus on what matters.”

Norris’ Rise, Piastri’s Dip

Asked whether Verstappen’s four titles reduce his pressure late in the fight, Vettel was direct.

“Right now, yes, also because he's won the championships. Not a lot of people have won that many championships,” he said. “He doesn't need to prove to himself that he can win a championship.

“Plus, in the position he is in the right now being in the hunt it's like 'ok, just got to do everything perfect and if it works it works, if it doesn't it doesn’t’.”

Despite Verstappen’s late surge, Norris still enters Qatar and Abu Dhabi as the favourite. It’s the Briton’s ability to rebound from a mid-season lull that stood out to Vettel.

“It makes it even stronger to see how he came back,” he said. “Came back, he's never really been gone, but there was maybe a phase with the season where he was struggling a little bit more to get that ultimate consistency and that peak performance.”

In fact, Vettel believes one of Norris’ recent weekends ranks among his all-time best.

“But very impressed with his driving, the weekend in Mexico was probably one of the best he's ever had.”

Read also:

• Vettel on Horner’s Red Bull exit: ‘He left some big footsteps’

As for Piastri, the Aussie has had a tougher run of late, relinquishing his once commanding championship lead for an outsider status – but Vettel still sees a bright trajectory.

“He has a very mature head on his shoulders, a lot of racing intelligence. He will improve for sure just through time,” said the retired F1 driver.

With two races to settle the championship, Vettel’s appraisal offers a fascinating lens: one champion recognising the relentless rise of another – and warning the rest of the grid that Verstappen’s ceiling is still climbing.

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