Max Verstappen pokes fun at F1 rivals as emotional speech to Red Bull staff made public | F1 | Sport
Max Verstappen expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes campus in a visit to the facility after the season finale in Abu Dhabi. The four-time world champion fell two points short of pipping Lando Norris to the crown, but still came away from the 24th race of the year proud of his achievements.
The 28-year-old looked down and out in the championship battle after leaving the Dutch Grand Prix 104 points behind then-leader Oscar Piastri, but his second-place finish in Zandvoort proved to be the start of an immense run of form.
Verstappen followed that podium with another nine to round out the year, including six Grand Prix victories, three of which came consecutively during the season-ending triple-header in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. This run meant that, remarkably, he finished ahead of Piastri in the standings, but usurping Norris proved one step too far.
In a speech given to Red Bull employees, Verstappen praised the team’s fighting spirit and poked fun at some of the team’s front-running rivals for their long recovery periods in between title challenges.
“But everyone is just as important to achieve this type of success, and especially I think in a season like this where we had tough times, and everyone stuck together and made it work,” Verstappen told employees. And yes, I know it sucks to lose by two points.
“But at the same time, we can be super proud of, you know, coming out of very tough times and overcoming these things and start winning again in one season. Maybe other teams can do that the season after or two seasons, or 20… some. It’s super impressive to see that, and for me, [I’m] very proud to be part of it. It’s honestly like my second family.”
While Verstappen can look back on his 2025 campaign with pride, the Dutchman’s second-place Drivers’ Championship finish marks, in many ways, the end of an era.
News of Norris’ maiden title was followed by that of Helmut Marko’s retirement. The 82-year-old confirmed his retirement earlier this week, having been responsible for Verstappen’s rise through the Red Bull junior team ranks and his promotions within F1.
“We had a difficult season this year,” Marko told ORF, explaining his decision. “It was particularly bumpy in the middle. We were 104 points behind in Holland. Then we started a comeback that was certainly unique.
“But unfortunately, it didn’t work out in the last race. We lost the championship by two points. Although this comeback was unique, it was still a very bitter disappointment. It hit us particularly hard. Even after the race, I felt that something had been lost.
“I then stayed in Dubai on Monday. That’s when I made my decision. Even if we had won, it would have been a good reason to leave this job. But now, in hindsight, because we lost, it’s also a good point.”
