F1: Max Verstappen Counting On 'Significant' Rule Change To Propel Title Charge

Last Updated:May 29, 2025, 11:14 IST

Red Bull's Max Verstappen wants to win his fourth consecutive Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya.

Formula One: Red Bull's Max Verstappen (AP)

Max Verstappen is set to return to the site of his first Formula One victory, aiming for his fourth consecutive Spanish Grand Prix win this weekend. His Red Bull team hopes that a new rule change will diminish McLaren’s dominance. Verstappen, a four-time world champion, first triumphed at the Circuit de Catalunya during the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix. A fifth win in Spain could significantly boost his position in the title race, as the 27-year-old Dutchman is currently 25 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri and 22 points behind McLaren teammate Lando Norris. Rivals believe that the introduction of strict front wing flexibility tests may hinder McLaren’s performance. Red Bull boss Christian Horner remarked, “It’s a significant change," referring to the requirement for much stiffer front wings. “There will be some effect, and while teams have anticipated this, it may still impact tire degradation. It doesn’t make life easier!"

McLaren’s aerodynamically excellent car, designed to manage tire wear and deliver fast lap times, could be more affected by the rule change than others. “But we don’t know how it will affect them," Horner added. Formula One announced the clampdown on “flexi wings" in January, leaving teams with time to prepare, which might dramatically impact performance and the season’s outcome. “With 16 races left, there is a long way to go," said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. “The team is pushing to find performance, and this weekend’s updated front wing technical directive will add another level of intrigue."

After a dismal, pointless weekend in Monte Carlo, Wolff expects an improvement from his “silver arrows" drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur commented, “This can be a game-changer for everybody because we don’t know the impact on every team." McLaren has won six of the eight races this year and leads Mercedes by 172 points in the team standings. However, the mixed Spanish track, with its combination of slow and fast corners, may pose a challenge to their car. Following strong results throughout the season, except at high-speed tracks like Suzuka and Imola where Verstappen won for Red Bull, McLaren will be under scrutiny and pressure.

Ferrari also faces pressure after an inconsistent and mostly disappointing start to the season, with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton still seeking his first win with the team at a venue where he has won six times—a record he shares with Michael Schumacher. This weekend will feature two Spanish drivers: Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, starting his 410th race at age 43, and Carlos Sainz, 30, of Williams, set for his 215th race. Their participation has sustained the sport’s growing popularity in Spain and attracted large crowds to the Spanish Grands Prix. Sainz, born in Madrid, is an ambassador for a future race near the capital starting in 2027, while Alonso serves a similar role for the Catalan track, which will soon be out of contract. This situation reflects Spain’s classic and enduring sporting rivalry.

(With inputs from AFP)

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Barcelona, Spain

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News sports F1: Max Verstappen Counting On 'Significant' Rule Change To Propel Title Charge