Every driver on the grid in 2025 could learn a thing or two from Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen.
Each of Max Verstappen’s four world championships was won in very different circumstances but highlights just how versatile the Dutchman is as a driver.
Red Bull have uncovered a generational talent and unsurprisingly have made every concession possible to keep him happy and settled.
David Coulthard has told Lando Norris what he can learn from Verstappen after the Brit ended up being his closest challenger in the Drivers’ Championship last year.
Norris won several races but never came close enough to Verstappen to put him under serious pressure.
Although Verstappen was criticised for being overly aggressive at times, he pushed everything to the limit, especially when his Red Bull was underperforming compared to McLaren and Ferrari.
Their struggles were highlighted by how far off the pace Sergio Perez ended up being, but Verstappen eked out every possible point to secure another brilliant title.
Verstappen’s success is so impressive that even former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has taken notice.
In an interview with Servus TV, Klopp explained what he wants to learn from the 27-year-old in his new role as part of the Red Bull setup.
Jurgen Klopp wants to learn how Max Verstappen is so successful under pressure
Klopp has taken up a new role as Red Bull’s Global Head of Football, but the beauty of the multi-sport setup that Red Bull have established is that he can call upon expertise across a variety of different disciplines.
One of those is Formula 1, where races can change in a heartbeat and quick decision-making – both in the car and in the garage – are essential to success.
Talking about how he wants to learn from other sports and integrate that into Red Bull’s football projects, Klopp said: “We will really give it a go and try to improve things and try to add proper value to our football clubs and to our sports teams in general.
“And if they can add value onto us then I want to find it. I want to figure out how can Mr. Verstappen, who has the highest focus when he is at 300mph going around a 180-degree curve and stuff like that.
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“And I have no clue how that works, so maybe he can explain that, I don’t know.
“I would love to learn and in other sports, it’ll be exactly the same.
“They are at their best when it’s most dangerous, so come on, give me that information and I will try to translate that into football.”
Max Verstappen is now the benchmark on the Formula 1 grid
Formula 1 regularly goes through cycles of one driver dominating the sport and the 2020s has started with Verstappen leading the way for Red Bull.
It shows how influential the 27-year-old has become that Klopp is keen to learn how he copes under such pressure and makes split-second decisions in such dangerous conditions.
McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes will hope that their drivers can finally topple Verstappen this year after Red Bull lost their position at the front of the pack in 2024.
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However, it’s impossible to write off Verstappen even if Red Bull’s car isn’t the quickest as he proved last season.
Verstappen’s education started in go-karts with Michael Schumacher coaching him from the sidelines.
He’s now stepped into that role as the mentor – especially with youngster Liam Lawson alongside him at Red Bull in 2025 – but he won’t want to teach his rivals too much as he chases a fifth consecutive championship.
