Franz Tost, former junior team principal for Red Bull, has outlined the champion qualities that have propelled Max Verstappen to the forefront of Formula 1, comparing his attributes to those of Sebastian Vettel, another multiple title-winner from the Red Bull stable. Speaking recently, Tost emphasized that both drivers’ focus, discipline, and relentless commitment to their craft are what make them stand out among their peers, offering insight into the rare skills that define a “Max Verstappen champion qualities” profile.
Red Bull’s Legacy of Champion Drivers
Red Bull’s Formula 1 senior team has fostered only two drivers who have gone on to become multiple world champions: Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen. As Franz Tost pointed out, talent alone is not the sole ingredient, as shown by Daniel Ricciardo, who, despite impressive results, could not maintain championship-contending form after leaving the Red Bull setup. His career, while decorated, underscored just how uniquely potent the formula has been for Verstappen and Vettel within Red Bull’s structure.
Tost stated that both champions distinguished themselves by being able to build formidable teams that rallied behind them during the peak of their careers, enabling an extended pattern of success that eluded others in similar machinery. Sebastian Vettel’s reign concluded in 2014 at the dawn of the V6 hybrid era, after losing ground to Ricciardo. In contrast, Max Verstappen has consistently dominated teammates since Ricciardo’s departure in 2018, remaining the central figure of Red Bull’s efforts.
The Special Traits Driving World Champion Success
Tost, who played an instrumental role in nurturing both drivers during their rookie stages, asserts that talent combined with unwavering dedication is what differentiates world champions from the rest of the field. Their mental focus, relentless drive to improve, and ability to push themselves and their teams to higher levels have proven decisive throughout their respective careers.
“With champions, it’s always the same story in my opinion. Sebastian and Max are also quite similar in that respect. People have often asked me: ‘what is the difference between those champions and other drivers?’ For me, those are some fixed things.”
— Franz Tost, Former Red Bull Junior Team Principal
These “fixed things,” according to Tost, include a remarkable combination of natural talent and total commitment to their sport, evidenced in both race preparation and execution.
“First, Max is one of the most talented drivers I’ve ever worked with, and the same goes for Sebastian. The second factor is that they are one hundred percent focused on their job. People always underestimate this factor, but it is extremely important. They live for Formula 1. It is their passion in everything and they can earn it year in and year. The latter is extremely important: being able to really live for the sport.”
— Franz Tost, Former Red Bull Junior Team Principal
Qualifying Skills and Competitive Edge at Red Bull
Franz Tost has highlighted how both Verstappen and Vettel’s prowess in qualifying and their commitment to ongoing learning put them head and shoulders above others in the Red Bull stable. Their combination of discipline and the drive to extract every ounce of performance allowed them to assert dominance over teammates, confounding rivals with their strategic acumen and intense preparation.
For Verstappen, reading his competitors—both inside the Red Bull camp and across the F1 grid—has been crucial in maintaining his edge. Sebastian Vettel, meanwhile, was renowned for his methodical approach, often carrying out detailed post-session analysis, something Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, has remembered with fondness and amusement.
Tost believes the blend of explosive pace, especially in one-lap scenarios, with a commitment to continuous improvement is what allowed both drivers to outperform those paired with them season after season.
“A third factor in my opinion is discipline. People also always underestimate how important this is. That applies to every course, but especially to Formula 1. By discipline, I don’t just mean coming on time for appointments and that kind of practical things. It’s also about discipline in the car. That as a driver in the decisive lap of qualifying you will not brake later than usual, for example. That’s not easy, because the pressure is full during qualifying and everyone wants to brake just a little later than usual. But if a driver does that, things often go wrong. These are important learning moments for a talent. You also have to be disciplined in that regard. In a 60-lap race, you also have to be aware: I don’t have to take a risk now, the chance will come later.”
— Franz Tost, Former Red Bull Junior Team Principal
Inquisitiveness and Self-Critique Fueling Progress
Another core element identified by Tost is an insatiable curiosity and willingness to learn. This extends to studying every move their rivals make, as well as engaging in honest self-reflection, which is not always visible in their public persona but fundamental to their growth as drivers. The best champions, Tost argues, are not just critical of those around them but hold themselves to the highest standards, using mistakes as lessons for future success rather than repeating them.
“My fourth point is that they are overly curious and eager to learn. By that I mean that those drivers often study their competitors and teammates very well. They know exactly what their strengths and weaknesses are. More importantly, they study themselves well. They are critical of themselves, even if they do not show it in the press and do not tell others. But for themselves they know exactly: ‘what I did today was wrong and I shouldn’t do it again’. Then they don’t do it anymore. I think these points are the most important qualities of a champion.”
— Franz Tost, Former Red Bull Junior Team Principal
The 2025 Season: Verstappen’s Near Miss and Enduring Excellence
The most recent season underscored just how fiercely Max Verstappen embodies these champion qualities. Despite a dramatic late charge that nearly saw him overtake McLaren’s Lando Norris for the world championship, Verstappen missed securing a fifth consecutive title by a mere two points. Even so, his statistical supremacy was clear: he notched the highest tally of race victories and pole positions of any driver that season, cementing his place as one of the greatest competitors in modern Formula 1.
Verstappen’s determination contrasted with the post-Red Bull career arc of Sebastian Vettel, whose time at Ferrari and subsequent seasons with Aston Martin failed to yield similar heights, underscoring the unpredictable nature of Formula 1 success. In contrast, Verstappen remains a persistent threat on the grid and continues to be seen as a benchmark for excellence and consistency.
Ongoing Influence and Future Prospects
Franz Tost’s deep insight into the careers of Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel helps illuminate why certain drivers go on to attain multiple world championships while others fall short, despite comparable early promise. Verstappen’s ability to lead teams, sustain motivation, and relentlessly pursue improvement will likely ensure his presence in championship battles for years to come. As the Formula 1 landscape evolves, the example set by these Red Bull champions—rooted in talent, discipline, commitment, and analytical rigor—serves as a blueprint for all aspiring world champions.
