Verstappen ‘very proud’ despite remarkable championship comeback falling two points short

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen described himself as “very proud” despite narrowly missing out on the 2025 title after a spirited recovery.

Verstappen found himself 104 points off the championship lead following August’s Dutch Grand Prix, but he and Red Bull charged their way back into contention with an incredible run over the second half of the season.

Victory in five out of eight Grands Prix between Italy and Qatar, mixed with some mistakes and issues for rivals McLaren, meant Verstappen entered the Abu Dhabi finale just 12 points away from Lando Norris.

Despite taking pole position and victory in an emphatic display, Verstappen ultimately fell two points short of overhauling Norris, who got the job done with a podium finish.

Asked if he had mixed emotions post-race, Verstappen said: “I feel good. I was already prepared for these kind of outcomes, because we needed a bit of luck to win.

“From our side, at least we optimised the weekend perfectly – we put it on pole, we won the race in I think dominant fashion, so there is nothing really that you can say about that.

“At the end of course, then you lose the championship by two points [and it] looks painful, but on the other hand, if you look from where we were in Zandvoort, more than 100 behind, then I think it’s not too bad.”

Pushed on how much pride he feels about his and Red Bull’s comeback, given their situation over the summer, the Dutchman added: “I’m very proud of the whole team. We could have also very easily given up at that point, when you’re that far behind.

“I don’t think that’s how this team works. We always try to look for improvements and understand our issues, and that’s definitely what we did. The turnaround has been fun, and today has been fun.

“We didn’t win the championship, okay, that happens, that’s life, and it’s not something that I’ll be too sad about. I mean, life goes on.

“I’m just very proud of the people I work with, they are my second family, and we will enjoy this moment. We will enjoy the second half of the season, be proud of that, and next year is going to be a big question mark for everyone anyway.”