Sebastian Vettel praises Max’s mental strength in F1

Four-time satellite champion Sebastian Vettel believes that Max Verstappen is already 1 of the champion Formula 1 drivers, but helium points retired that the astir frightening happening is that thing stops the young Dutchman from progressing.

"The scary happening is that helium keeps getting better," Vettel said of the singular play successful 2025. Verstappen, the Red Bull driver, has taken much wins and much rod positions than immoderate different operator – 8 successful some cases. Although the RB21 was not connected par with McLaren's MCL39 for astir of the season, it managed to marque up a 104-point spread to then-leading Oscar Piastri, ending the play conscionable 2 points down caller champion Lando Norris.

Vettel peculiarly connected the intelligence stableness of the young driver

Speaking connected the Beyond The Grid podcast, Vettel peculiarly emphasized the intelligence stableness of the young driver. "We cognize he's good, but he's inactive improving, he's inactive bare for success, he's inactive acceptable to learn," the German explained. "I deliberation helium works a batch down the scenes, and that's what makes him strong. Of course, he's talented, but what makes him beardown is simply a operation of galore factors."

According to Vettel, the cardinal to the young Dutchman's spot lies successful his head. "The important constituent is his head. In situations wherever it matters most, helium stays composed, helium astir ne'er makes mistakes, helium delivers erstwhile helium has to. He feels the unit - we each bash - but helium manages to find abstraction successful his caput and absorption connected what's important."

Vettel besides notes Verstappen's maturity successful wheel-to-wheel duels: "When you look astatine his aboriginal years, the behaviour contiguous is overmuch much mature. He inactive makes intolerable passes and turns them into imaginable ones, but helium knows erstwhile immoderate passes are not crucial."

The German besides expressed respect for the mentality of satellite champion Lando Norris, highlighting the courageousness to talk openly astir intelligence health. "It utilized to beryllium taboo. It was like: you don't speech astir it. I deliberation it's large to spot Lando being specified a relation exemplary wrong and extracurricular of Formula 1," said Vettel.