Max Verstappen told he’s now doing something in F1 that it was a ‘pity’ Michael Schumacher never tackled

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen is at the centre of the Formula 1 world after winning four world championships on the bounce.

Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari will see much of the spotlight pointed away from Max Verstappen initially in 2025, but it won’t be long until he’s making headlines again if he continues where he’s left off over the past few years.

Red Bull haven’t looked entirely comfortable since McLaren and Ferrari took crucial steps forward midway through last season and while their 2025 car doesn’t look that different, there will be distinct changes made internally and to the floor that could prove to be the difference.

Liam Lawson didn’t look too happy after the first day of testing, but by the end of their time in Bahrain, they could make an argument that they were the second-fastest team in the paddock.

A crucial change was made to Verstappen’s car during testing and while the times set aren’t representative of what the grid will look like at the Australian Grand Prix, the Dutchman will have to use all of his ability to match Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

However, F1 is about so much more than what’s happening on the track and Verstappen has been subject to one rule the FIA have been clamping down on recently.

The swearing saga that Verstappen was embroiled in last year could kick off again at any moment in 2025 with much stricter penalties now in place.

Dutch commentator Olav Mol, speaking to F1 Maximaal, believes the Dutchman has taken a stance that fellow F1 legend Michael Schumacher never did during his career.

Max Verstappen taking stance on F1 swearing row after Singapore Grand Prix punishment

Mol was asked about Verstappen’s behaviour in the FIA’s press conferences and said: “That Max is as outspoken as he is, you have to cherish that.

“The guys who also had that in the past to some extent were Eddie Irvine, [Sebastian] Vettel in his way, but with intelligence.

“What I sometimes found difficult about Michael Schumacher was that he never really took a stand on certain issues. I sometimes found that unfortunate.

“You can also change certain things that way. If that [rules of conduct, ed.] is then imposed on you by the FIA, I do think it goes too far.

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“I do understand that Max then sometimes sits at such a press conference and says: Yes…. No… That’s right, and nothing more.”

When it was put to Mol that when Verstappen suggested that he’ll ‘make it 12 soon, then I can go on paternity leave!’ when he picked up two more penalty points for clashing with Oscar Piastri in Abu Dhabi, he said: “That’s exactly the authenticity he has!

“He wants to race so much, he’s not really going to do it, but if we start imposing things like this on him, he thinks: then I’ll turn it my way. I think it’s an incredibly funny comment.

“Those Thursdays, Fridays, the press conferences, he could do without. If Sunday the lights out, I still think he wouldn’t pass up an opportunity any time soon.”

Max Verstappen could benefit from 2025 Formula 1 rule change

Many in the paddock believe McLaren to have the strongest car this season but that could change midway through the year.

At the ninth race of the season – the Spanish Grand Prix – teams will have to install new front wings to comply with the sport’s regulations.

Red Bull thought McLaren and Ferrari were running outlawed parts during testing but the upcoming change could put Christian Horner’s team back on top.

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Ted Kravitz believes Verstappen could benefit from the front wing changes, but like last season when Norris couldn’t make up the deficit to the Dutchman, he’ll hope it doesn’t come too late in the year.

Otherwise, Verstappen will miss out on the chance to match Schumacher’s record of five consecutive championships.