Max Verstappen worried of not retaining his World Championship with Red Bull next season

Red Bull did not have the best run in the 2024 season and faced great challenges from McLaren and Ferrari. Unlike the last two seasons, they didn't have the most dominant car on the track. Paired with Sergio Perez's performances. Red Bull wasn't able to retain the Cunstructors Championship. 

Now, the current World Champion, Max Verstappen, has expressed concerns over his chances to win the Driver's Championship next year. The Dutch driver believes the car needs dire changes: stability on kerbs, bumps, and slow corners.

"If we continue like this, I will not be champion next year. It is that simple. We really have to take steps to be competitive next season. We all know that. I trust that the team can fix the balance problems of last season. And certain things that we could not change last year will be changed for next year. We know that it has to be better over the kerbs, bumps, and in the slow corners. Those are generally our weak points. If we are still beaten then, it will be on the basis of pure speed," Verstappen said in an interview with De Telegraaf. 

Verstappen faced great threat from McLaren's Lando Norris and only won the championship in Las Vegas. However, he believes keeping himself under pressure will help him in the upcoming season, despite the car's shortcomings.

"I always keep the pressure on. Also, on myself. I try not to think too lightly about it. At one point, the car was barely steerable. This was all I could get out of it," he added.

Red Bull replaces Sergio Perez with Liam Lawson 

In the meantime, Red Bull has made a huge change to their driver lineup for the upcoming season. Sergio Perez, after his dismal show in the 2024 season, has been replaced by Liam Lawson, who got a promotion from the RB team.

The 2025 season will be crucial for Red Bull and all the other teams on the grid ahead of the engine regulation changes in 2026.