F1 champion Max Verstappen sporting SWITCH revealed in break

Max Verstappen in Vegas — Photo: © IMAGO

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Verstappen sporting SWITCH revealed in F1 break

Max Verstappen has enjoyed some time away from F1

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Saturday 11 January 2025 20:55

A sporting switch for Max Verstappen has been revealed during the Formula 1 winter break.

The four-time world champion will attempt to defend his title in 2025, as Red Bull are expected to once again have major competition from F1 rivals McLaren and Ferrari.

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Both teams enjoyed a resurgence in 2024, with Lando Norris even challenging Verstappen for the title, before his dreams of a first championship were cut short at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Whilst Red Bull’s rivals improved their performances last year, the Milton Keynes outfit also had to contend with their own difficulties with the RB20, which, if not remedied in 2025, could cost Verstappen a fifth world title.

Max Verstappen claimed his fourth consecutive title in 2024

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Amid Red Bull’s difficulties in 2024, rumours that Verstappen could make a team switch spiralled, particularly if Helmut Marko decided to exit the team.

Toto Wolff named Verstappen as his number one target for Mercedes following Lewis Hamilton’s departure, but the Red Bull star has since asserted his loyalty to the outfit.

Verstappen has claimed he is happy at Red Bull, providing their car remains in championship contention until his contract expires in 2028.

After a difficult 2024, the Dutchman ended his year on a high when he celebrated his fourth world title, and the announcement that he was expecting his first child with Kelly Piquet.

The couple have been together since 2020, and have been enjoying a lavish winter skiing holiday during F1’s winter break, with Piquet sharing stunning pictures throughout December and January on her Instagram.

In her latest post, captioned ‘Mountain Magic’, a carousel of pictures saw Verstappen and her daughter Penelope skiing, in a sporting switch for the champion as they enjoyed some relaxation over the Christmas period.

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A post shared by KELLY PIQUET (@kellypiquet)

Written by

Sheona Mountford - F1 Journalist

Sheona Mountford is a motorsport journalist specialising in F1. As a writer and contributor, she covers a wide range of motorsport series from F1 to F1 Academy, responsible for breaking news, live race coverage and in depth analysis of the sport and the culture around it.

View full biography

Red Bull Max Verstappen Ferrari McLaren Helmut Marko Las Vegas Grand Prix