Dethroned by Two Points: Verstappen Without Regrets

Despite winning the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from pole position, Verstappen ultimately fell two points short of Lando Norris, who secured his first world championship with a third-place finish.

“When you lose the championship by two points, it looks painful. But on the other hand, if you look from where we were in Zandvoort, more than 100 points behind, then it’s not too bad.”

Red Bull’s Mixed Emotions

While Verstappen remained philosophical, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko was more forthright about the team’s disappointment. “We are proud to have come back from 104 to two points, and we are disappointed to lose by two points,” Marko admitted. He highlighted several pivotal moments that cost Verstappen valuable points, including a collision with George Russell in Barcelona and a crash at the Red Bull Ring.

The Abu Dhabi Finale: A Race of Fine Margins

Verstappen entered the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 12 points behind Norris. He delivered a flawless performance, securing pole and leading every lap, but Norris’ third-place finish was enough to clinch the title. Verstappen’s late-season surge, including five wins in eight races, had turned a seemingly impossible deficit into a nail-biting finale.

No Regrets, Only Pride

Despite the heartbreak, Verstappen was quick to praise his team’s resilience. “The fightback has been really fun,” he said. “I don’t see it like losing the championship. We did everything we could, and sometimes that’s just not enough.”

His maturity and composure were noted by team principal Laurent Mekies: “It’s probably fair to say that the world discovered an even more extraordinary Max this season. A bit because of the magnitude of the comeback. A bit because he has been so relaxed.”

What’s Next for Verstappen and Red Bull?

With the 2025 season now in the books, Verstappen and Red Bull are already looking ahead to 2026, when new power unit regulations will reset the competitive order. Despite the disappointment, Marko insisted that Verstappen’s performance this year was among the best of his career: “An incredible year, with impressive races and overtakes.”