{"id":29390,"date":"2025-01-15T04:12:19","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T09:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=29390"},"modified":"2025-01-15T08:32:05","modified_gmt":"2025-01-15T13:32:05","slug":"verstappen-rb21-performance-is-more-relevant-than-my-teammate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2025\/01\/15\/verstappen-rb21-performance-is-more-relevant-than-my-teammate\/","title":{"rendered":"Verstappen: RB21 performance is more relevant than my teammate"},"content":{"rendered":"

Max Verstappen<\/a> argues that Red Bull’s primary concern in 2025 should not be the driver alongside him. After years of speculation about his teammates, Verstappen explains that extracting more performance must be Red Bull’s priority.<\/p>\n

Verstappen: Five teams could be at the front<\/h2>\n

For the majority of last season, speculation surrounded the Red Bull camp. Sergio Perez’s future<\/a> at the team was under immense scrutiny, despite signing a contract extension early in the season.<\/p>\n

The Mexican driver’s inability to secure strong points finishes or qualify in the top 10 became a recurring talking point.<\/p>\n

Following months of hints suggesting Perez would be replaced, Red Bull eventually made the decision to replace him with Liam Lawson for 2025.<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, the debate surrounding the Milton Keynes squad surrounded Liam Lawson<\/a> and Yuki Tsunoda<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Heading into this season, there will be immense pressure on Lawson to prove that he was the correct option to drive alongside Max Verstappen.<\/p>\n

Most analysts and fans have reached the consensus that Tsunoda was the more sensible choice for Red Bull – having put together several impressive seasons at VCARB.<\/p>\n

However, the reigning Champion is not focused on who will be on the opposite side of the garage. Instead, Verstappen argues that Red Bull’s development is what will decide the team’s success this season:<\/p>\n

“If we can get the car back to the front, the name in the other cockpit won\u2019t matter,”<\/em> he told Swiss outlet Blick.<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t have a crystal ball, but if we can rectify certain weaknesses over the winter – we\u2019ll be back at the front. But I\u2019m certainly not making any predictions here.<\/em><\/p>\n

“Five teams should be fighting at the front. The weaknesses have been narrowed down.<\/em><\/p>\n

“We often lacked the necessary balance because we simply couldn\u2019t get into the low-temperature window.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>