Max Verstappen predicted to match Michael Schumacher record in 2025

Former Formula 1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone believes that four-time champion Max Verstappen will secure his fifth F1 title in 2025, which would put him alongside seven-time champion Michael Schumacher as the only driver to have five titles in a row.

Despite the intense battle with McLaren's Lando Norris last year and the Woking outfit clinching the constructors' championship title for the first time since 1998, Ecclestone thinks the Dutch driver still has the edge over his rivals. 

During an interview with Reuters, Ecclestone said:

"I'm pleased in lots of ways that it (the championship) is open in the way that it is, and it's good. I still think Max will win. There's no reason why he shouldn't. If he's got the equipment, obviously there'd be no discussion about him. It would be a definite. If the car's up to it, he'll get the job done."

2025 marks the final year of the current ground-effect era, and after an exciting 2024 season, this year is predicted to be extremely competitive before the regulation reset next year.

Red Bull had a strong start to 2024, continuing its dominance from the previous year when the team won all but one of the races. However, after Verstappen's 2024 Spanish Grand Prix win, the team encountered issues with the RB20, which saw McLaren and Ferrari overtake it in the standings. 

Verstappen has already played down expectations in the run-up to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. He explained to the media including Motorsport.com:

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

“I don't think we can fight for the win already in Melbourne."

The 27-year-old added that McLaren is in a strong position to fight for the championship:

“At the moment only one, and that team is orange! That's a very nice colour of course, but from our side, we still have work to do. Other teams want to see some improvements as well, I think, so at the moment one team is clearly in front.

“If you look at the lap times, then I think McLaren is the favourite. On our side, not everything went completely smoothly, but on the other hand we have some ideas on how to improve.”

Mercedes driver George Russell has echoed Verstappen's statements, commenting:

"I don't think either of us right now have a car that potentially is capable of beating the McLaren.

"McLaren, without doubt, look by far the strongest. Especially their race pace looks pretty impressive."

The 2025 Formula 1 season begins next week with the Australian Grand Prix.