Max Verstappen is going through a challenging moment in his career. The last weekend of May 2025 could mark a significant turning point.
On Friday, May 30, Jos Verstappen, former driver and ever-present father, emerges unscathed from a spectacular accident during the Royal Scandinavian Rally. A dramatic rollover highlights the fragility of mechanical heroes. This seemingly minor event occurs at a time when Max appears more vulnerable than ever.
Two days later, in Barcelona, Max Verstappen takes a hard fall. At the wheel of a Red Bull that has become jittery, he violently collides with George Russell in the final lap. The penalty is immediate: a 10-second penalty and three points deducted from his super license. This tenth-place finish amplifies the doubt in a season where confidence seems to waver.
Intense pressure on the Dutch driver’s shoulders
Since 2021, Verstappen had easily dominated Formula 1. Four world titles, multiple dazzling victories, and perfect mastery of the circuits have shaped his legend. Yet, the 2025 season reveals another side of the Dutch driver.
At 27, Verstappen displays unusual nervousness. On the track, he hesitates, makes unusual mistakes, and his reactions become impulsive. The clash with Russell seems more an expression of frustration than inattention.
Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri, now the championship leader, shows remarkable calm at the wheel of a high-performing McLaren. This increased competition pushes Verstappen to his limits and reveals a more complex personality, oscillating between cold determination and apparent vulnerability.
The omnipresent shadow of the father: a contrasting legacy
The father-son relationship between Max and Jos Verstappen remains central. Jos, himself a former Formula 1 driver, has built his son into a winning machine. His strict, sometimes brutal upbringing explains the icy determination and exceptional mental resilience of the champion.
However, this constant presence also creates deep internal tensions. Jos’s recent accident acts as a warning: nothing is guaranteed, everything can change at any moment. This realization could strengthen Max’s mental solidity or, conversely, exacerbate his doubts.
A champion losing his bearings?
In 2024, early signs of new fragility already appeared. Even if he clinched his fourth world title, the battle was tougher and more uncertain.
This year, the competition has intensified. Oscar Piastri is consistent and relentless, Lando Norris remains a formidable rival, while Ferrari is gradually regaining reliability. Even outsiders like Isack Hadjar and Nico Hülkenberg are shaking up the predictions.
Verstappen, used to dominating without contest, now has to fight hard in every race. His Red Bull no longer offers the same technological advantage. Consequently, facing younger and hungrier rivals, his confidence wavers.
Verstappen at a crossroads: rebound or decline?
With 65 victories, Verstappen is already a living legend. He surpasses Alain Prost, equals Sebastian Vettel, and approaches Michael Schumacher, the absolute references of the discipline.
But like any champion, he is going through a period of deep doubt. The Spanish Grand Prix 2025 could mark a crucial moment. Indeed, it is there that the champion decides to rebound or begins an irreversible decline.
To preserve his legend, Verstappen must regain his methodical coldness, manage the intense pressure effectively, and reconnect with the consistency that made him an exceptional driver.
In a sport where the slightest mistake can be costly, the Dutch driver faces the greatest challenge of his career. Will Max Verstappen be able to reconnect with his past greatness, or will he begin a slow decline? Only the future will tell if he can still leave his indelible mark on Formula 1.