Jenson Button praised Max Verstappen’s ability to extract top performance from the complicated Red Bull RB21, stating it
“proves what a talent he is.”
After 12 races into the 2025 Formula 1 season, Verstappen has scored 165 of Red Bull’s total 172 championship points despite ongoing technical issues with the car.
Verstappen Confronts Balance Problems at British Grand Prix
Ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Verstappen admitted the RB21 suffered significant balance difficulties, which made driving challenging. He said the wind had a strong impact on the car’s performance but insisted it was a challenge all drivers faced and had to adapt to.
“For me personally, today wasn’t a great day and it was difficult to find much balance in the car and in the corners,”
Verstappen said.
The wind affects things quite a lot, but that, of course, is not an excuse as you just have to deal with it. It is not easy, but it is the same situation for everyone.”
“Every weekend is a bit different and you have to adapt to the changing conditions and scenarios, but our car does seem pretty sensitive to the wind this week.”
Button Reflects on Verstappen’s Championship Prospects Amid Challenges
Discussing Verstappen’s current fight for the championship, Jenson Button noted the difficulty for the driver to overcome setbacks this season, especially with rivals like McLaren performing strongly. While acknowledging the close competition, Button emphasized Verstappen’s extraordinary skill in managing a less than ideal car.
“I think it’s really difficult for Max,”
Button stated.
If Max has one bad race, like he did in Austria, that’s a lot of points for him to make up in a car that is not as good as the McLaren. You’d have to say it’s a two-horse race at the moment, but Max has had it his way for a few years, and what he’s doing with that car is just unbelievable. When you put so many drivers in the same car and they are nowhere near him it proves what a talent he is, and what he’s able to do with a difficult car.”
Speculation Around Verstappen’s Future and Team Moves
Performance troubles this season have sparked rumors about Verstappen possibly switching to Mercedes, with team principal Toto Wolff confirming discussions but admitting the likelihood of a 2026 contract is slim. Button described the decision as complicated, given the upcoming regulatory changes that will reshape Formula 1.
“What’s he going to do next year? I don’t know,”
Button commented.
I think it’s interesting that we don’t know what the best option is. I’m sure he doesn’t know either right now. You can kind of see the future a little bit, because you can see what the car’s doing in the wind tunnel, you can see what the power output is, but you don’t know what other teams are doing.
They might say they’re doing better, but who knows? So, it’s a tricky decision for him and, whatever he chooses, I think it’s going to be an exciting season in 2026 – whatever car he’s in.”
What Verstappen’s Performance Means for the Season Ahead
Despite facing technical setbacks and a car that reacts unpredictably to conditions like wind, Max Verstappen’s dominance in points and consistent competitiveness highlight his exceptional ability as a driver. Jenson Button’s insights underline how Verstappen’s skill with the RB21 sets him apart, emphasizing that his talent continues to drive Red Bull’s success even under challenging circumstances.
The speculation surrounding Verstappen’s future team and the forthcoming rule changes adds a layer of intrigue to the 2026 season, suggesting that his decisions and adaptability will remain crucial factors in the championship battle. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Verstappen navigates these upcoming challenges.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Max Verstappen a millionaire?
A. As of December 2024, Verstappen’s estimated net worth is around $200 million, reports Celebrity Net Worth. He has accumulated this wealth from endorsements, investments, and a high Formula 1 salary. Before 2020, his salary was relatively lower than that of leading F1 drivers.
Q. Did Max Verstappen apologize?
A. Christian Horner mentioned that Max Verstappen said sorry to the Red Bull team after his crash with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix. This incident caused Verstappen to fall from 5th to 10th place after a 10-second penalty.
Q. Who did Max Verstappen lose respect for?
A. Max Verstappen expressed that he no longer respects George Russell following a stewards’ meeting in Qatar regarding a qualifying issue in Formula 1.
Q. Has Max Verstappen apologized to Lando Norris?
A. He doesn’t have to say sorry. I don’t need an apology from him, and I don’t believe he should apologize. I felt it was good racing—sometimes it came close to the edge, but we talked it over and are both eager to race again.
