F1 fans think Max Verstappen is ‘overdoing it’ after hearing his latest comments on ‘stress’

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Max Verstappen has just missed out on winning a record-equalling fifth consecutive Formula 1 title by just two points, but he doesn’t seem that bothered about it.

Beating both McLaren drivers to the 2025 drivers’ championship would have marked the greatest comeback in history, from a massive 104 points behind in the summer.

Red Bull worked tirelessly to give him a car that could compete, and while their upgrades were effective, they weren’t quite enough.

Verstappen could do little else in the Abu Dhabi title finale, as Lando Norris strolled to third place – the exact position he needed to be in to claim a maiden crown.

Red Bull have dismissed a ‘nonsense’ Verstappen claim that he is the man in charge behind the scenes. For a driver, that seems like a big responsibility.

Company CEO Oliver Minzlaff expects that Verstappen will ‘remain loyal’ to Red Bull in the future, but part of that depends on how well they perform in 2026.

READ MORE: Bernie Collins outlines the 2026 Red Bull scenario that will see Max Verstappen ‘want to’ leave

F1 fans disagree with Max Verstappen after ‘stress’ suggestion

Speaking on the Talking Bull Podcast, Verstappen has just revealed how missing out on this year’s title won’t ‘stress’ him out. It won’t change how his future pans out.

“You still have a lot of years to enjoy or do something else in your life,” he said. “Then, honestly, it doesn’t really matter what you have done.

“When I’m going to be 50 years old, 60 years old, do you think I care if I’ve won four or seven [titles]. I mean, what is that going to matter to my life? I’m still going to order the same drink, I’m still going to eat the same food. It’s not going to change what I’m going to do after in my life,” Verstappen continued.

“That’s why I try to also just look at it a lot more in a relaxed way. Just don’t stress about it. Stress is very bad for you, and you’re gonna die sooner if you have a lot of stress, so I’m gonna be 250 years old.”

Is Max Verstappen making an excuse for losing out on the 2025 F1 title to Lando Norris?

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But, fans on Reddit don’t agree with his perspective, having watched him race on track for some time. They believe that he’s ‘overdoing’ it, in trying to convince everyone that he’s now relaxed.

“Been watching Verstappen for years. Sorry, but he is one of the more highly strung and aggressive drivers on track. Driving and how he expresses himself,” said one fan.

“Max is overdoing it on this whole schtick now. Feels like his way of dealing with not winning the championship this year,” added another.

“Hmm, yeah, that’s a lie,” decided another individual, while someone else mentioned his 2025 Spanish Grand Prix incident: “Max is so chill and laid back, he would never road rage into Russell.”

“I feel like he has forgotten how much stress he was under in 2021,” referenced someone else, suggesting that his first title battle was intense.

And finally, one last reply read: “Mate, we will ask GP [his race engineer] about your stress level.”

READ MORE: Max Verstappen has changed how he celebrates winning F1 races after ‘particularly poor’ verdict

Why Max Verstappen has changed how he celebrates Formula 1 races

Just a few years ago, when Red Bull were almost nailed on to win every single race, Verstappen didn’t always receive the warmest of receptions on the podium.

It’s never a nice thing to see a driver booed for doing his job. Sebastian Vettel experienced something similar during the 2013 season.

As a result, Verstappen has changed how he celebrates. It might be part of the reason why fans warmed to him a little more in 2025.

That and the idea that he was responsible for keeping the championship fight so open and exciting for months more than it should have been.