Max Verstappen F1 News: Red Bull star handed major rule warning ahead of 2025 season

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Verstappen handed major F1 rule warning ahead of 2025 season

Max Verstappen has received a stark warning from an F1 rival

Kerry Violet F1 News Editor

F1 editor and journalist covering motorsport since 2024.

Thursday 9 January 2025 08:27

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Reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has been issued a stark warning regarding his willingness to 'play with the rules' ahead of the 2025 season by one of his sporting rivals.

The Dutchman stormed to victory in the drivers' championship once again last season, claiming his fourth consecutive title with Red Bull.

F1 HEADLINES: Verstappen issues FIA punishment response as Red Bull star forced OUT of 2025 race

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The 27-year-old's F1 team didn't display as much prowess in the constructors' championship, however, failing to beat Ferrari and McLaren overall and finishing a disappointing P3 in 2024.

Much of this disappointment came as a result of Verstappen's team-mate Sergio Perez consistently underperforming, finishing the season with two DNFs in a row.

Following the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Red Bull opted to sack Perez, instead replacing him with junior driver Liam Lawson in the hope that the Kiwi racer can help strengthen their chances as a team next season against the strong driver lineups at Ferrari and McLaren.

Charles Leclerc will be joined by new Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton in 2025

Red Bull went through the painstaking process of choosing a new team-mate for Max Verstappen in 2025

Leclerc confident of Verstappen challenge

Whilst reigning constructors' champions McLaren have opted to keep their strong driver duo, Ferrari have made a monumental switch, with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton entering their ranks to race alongside Leclerc.

The Monegasque driver showed championship potential in 2024, stealing a stunning victory in front of the Tifosi at Monza and finally breaking the Monaco curse by winning his iconic home GP.

What was perhaps more telling however was Leclerc's victory at the US GP, where he quietly came home in first place as the crowd focused on action further back in the order.

The race in Austin sparked huge controversy over Verstappen's driving style, with a late FIA penalty to rival Lando Norris leading to much discussion over the Red Bull star's attitude on track.

Max Verstappen managed to avoid a penalty at the US GP

Now, Leclerc has told RacingNews365 that where necessary, he feels he can match Verstappen's aggressive driving style.

"You've got to pick your battles, and I feel like Max knows how to adapt to different situations, and we've seen it [in 2024]," Leclerc said.

"There were moments where he was not aggressive, but when the end of the season arrived, and Lando was coming back there, you could see him play with the rules a lot more, and I feel like I've got that in me.

"I know that whenever big things will be at stake, when it will be the moment to take those risks with the right people, I'll go for it.

"But that's also why I've always enjoyed racing with Max, the mentality of the driver is a big part.

"We've known each other for a long time, and so it is always more exciting when we're fighting together.”

Written by

Kerry Violet - F1 News Editor

Having graduated from the University of Sheffield with a 2:1 in Journalism in 2022, Kerry continued her pursuit of finding a full-time position in motorsport through work with the F1 Arcade in London, where she got to meet true fans of the sport and make a live grand prix watch party memorable for them. It was here that she confirmed her dream of combining her background in journalism and love of motorsport, going on to volunteer with the female-led platform Empoword Journalism. Having completed stints as a screen editor and sports editor, Kerry landed her first F1-specific editorial role with GPFans and has thoroughly enjoyed continuing to work closely with the sport ever since. The access GPFans offers Kerry has allowed her to interview big names such as Naomi Schiff and David Coulthard and given her experiences she could only have dreamt of as a young F1 fan.

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Red Bull Max Verstappen Ferrari McLaren Sergio Perez Abu Dhabi Grand Prix