Sebastian Vettel has lifted the lid on the secrets to Max Verstappen’s F1 success this season.

Verstappen is only 24 points behind World Championship leader Norris (Image: Getty)

Four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel believes that Max Verstappen is only getting better as his career progresses, citing the Dutchman’s tireless work ‘behind the scenes’ as a key contributing factor to his success in 2025.

At no point this season has the 28-year-old boasted the fastest machinery, and yet, with just two race weekends remaining, Verstappen trails World Championship leader Lando Norris by only 24 points. His dream of a fifth consecutive Drivers’ Championship title is alive and well.

According to Vettel, Verstappen’s rivals should be fearful about the Red Bull racer’s relentless progression curve. “I think the scary thing is he’s getting better,” the German ex-F1 star told F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast.

“We know he’s good, but he’s still improving. He’s still hungry, he’s still willing to learn. I think he’s working very hard behind the scenes as well, and that’s what makes him so strong. Of course, he’s blessed with a lot of talent on top of that, but even if he’s one of the most talented drivers on the grid, I think what ultimately makes him so strong. It’s a combination.

“But the key ingredient is his head. In the key situations where it matters, he keeps his head, hardly ever makes a mistake, delivers when he needs to. He feels the pressure; we all do. I don’t think it’s possible you don’t feel the pressure, but he’s able to find space in his head where he’s able to put that to a side and focus on what matters.”

Vettel also believes that Verstappen is benefiting from facing less pressure than his two World Championship rivals. Norris is experiencing the position of being the hunted, while Oscar Piastri is in an unenviable position with two races remaining.

Verstappen has nothing to lose compared to Norris and Piastri (Image: Getty)

After McLaren’s double disqualification at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the Australian racer is now tied on points with Verstappen for second place. Worse still, Piastri has been out-scored by both of his World Championship rivals in each of the last seven race weekends.

“Right now, yes [he is under less pressure], also because he’s won the championships,” Vettel explained. Not a lot of people have won that many championships. He doesn’t need to prove to himself that he can win a championship.

“Plus, in the position he is in the right now being in the hunt it’s like ‘ok, just got to do everything perfect and if it works it works, if it doesn’t it doesn’t’.”