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Red Bull star Max Verstappen has more experience in winning races than virtually any other driver in Formula 1 history.
The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix represented the 71st win of Max Verstappen’s illustrious career.
Only Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton stand in the Red Bull driver’s way of becoming the most successful racer in the sport’s history.
Red Bull insiders think Verstappen possesses traits that even Hamilton can’t match, and the only thing standing in his way of winning a fifth title next year will be how competitive his car is.
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Even with many people believing the Mercedes-powered teams will be on top in 2026, Verstappen has proven he can extract the maximum out of any car he drives.
However, just because Verstappen is experienced when it comes to standing on the top step of the podium, that doesn’t necessarily mean he knows how to celebrate those wins.
F1 photographer Darren Heath has explained why Verstappen used to be ‘particularly poor’ at celebrating when he did take the chequered flag for Red Bull.
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Heath was speaking about the four-time world champion on the James Allen on F1 Podcast.
He said: “I don’t know whether it’s because it’s the time, but everyone seems to be wanting to be just too cool, and they don’t celebrate so much.
“Interestingly, this year, especially in his awesome run of wins and coming back from over 100 points behind now to potentially winning a title, Max has kind of come out of himself, and he celebrates more.
“And that’s great because he was particularly poor at celebrating on the podium, always turning away from us, and when I say us, I mean the media, even the crowd and the people watching around the world and the television, and that’s in answer to your question, that’s what I miss.”
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Max Verstappen’s comments at the end of the 2025 F1 season signal a change in mindset
Verstappen has never been someone who gives up on a fight, as his incredible comeback in 2025 proved.
He left the Hungarian Grand Prix after finishing ninth, declaring that Red Bull wouldn’t win another race that season.
The Dutchman went on to claim six victories after the summer break, including three back-to-back-to-back wins during the final triple header.
Lando Norris did just enough to claim his first drivers’ championship in Abu Dhabi, and on the team radio after the race, Verstappen said: “Congrats, guys. What a comeback in the second half of this season. We can be really, really proud of that.
“So don’t be too disappointed – I’m definitely not disappointed. I’m really proud of everyone. You never give up.”
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It’s a very different view from the one held by Verstappen in the past, who hasn’t always welcomed missing out on wins as graciously as that.
Verstappen paid tribute to Norris after the race, and on the podium was clearly delighted to have secured another win.
Whether that’s a signal that he’s thinking about just how long his F1 career is going to last as he soaks up the feeling around his victories more than before is simply conjecture.
But a happier Verstappen on the podium is arguably even more terrifying for his rivals, as he appears to be under even less pressure to perform.
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