The four-time world champion may have fallen just short of a fifth consecutive crown in 2024, but Jacques Villeneuve believes Max Verstappen‘s relentless approach will yield several more titles before his current Red Bull Racing contract expires in 2028. The 1997 world champion has placed the Dutchman among the sport’s all-time greats, predicting a championship haul that could rival the record holders.
From Zandvoort struggles to title contention
Verstappen’s 2024 campaign took a dramatic turn after the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. Following that race, the Red Bull driver privately questioned whether he could mount a serious challenge for the championship in 2025, let alone defend his crown that season. The team’s performance had deteriorated to the point where McLaren had seized the initiative in the development race.
What followed represented one of the most impressive turnarounds of the season. Red Bull’s engineering department cracked the code on the RB20’s setup issues, unlocking significant pace that had been hidden within the package. The gap to McLaren narrowed considerably, and the psychological pressure shifted. As Red Bull found their rhythm, their main rivals began making uncharacteristic errors under the mounting tension of the championship fight.
The resurgence proved sufficient to keep Verstappen in mathematical contention until the final race of the year. Though he ultimately finished as runner-up, the comeback underlined his ability to extract maximum performance even when his machinery falls short of outright dominance.
The company of legends
Villeneuve, who knows what it takes to claim the world championship having done so with Williams in 1997, has been emphatic in his assessment of where Verstappen ranks in Formula 1 history. The Canadian driver places the Red Bull star alongside Ayruro Senna, Alain Prost, and Nigel Mansell as part of an elite group that transcends their era.
“Max has shown why he belongs among the sport’s greats, in the same conversation as the Sennas, the Prosts and the Mansells of this world, and the legends who came before them,” Villeneuve stated. The comparison is significant given Villeneuve’s tendency toward critical analysis of current drivers throughout his punditry career.
What distinguishes Verstappen in Villeneuve’s view is the combination of raw speed and mental fortitude. The ability to maintain focus and aggression regardless of the competitive situation marks out the genuinely exceptional talents from those who merely benefit from superior machinery.
Relentless pursuit of perfection
Villeneuve highlighted specific qualities that convince him Verstappen will add substantially to his four world titles. “He simply doesn’t stop. He’s ruthless. He’s a pure racer and deeply passionate as well. That’s what you want to see. That’s who you hope becomes champion,” the former champion explained.
The assessment points to characteristics that have defined Verstappen’s approach since his debut as a teenager in 2015. His willingness to push boundaries and extract every thousandth of a second available has become a defining trait, one that keeps rivals under constant pressure even when Red Bull’s competitive advantage has evaporated.
With Verstappen’s current contract running through 2028, the mathematics of championship opportunities become relevant. Should Red Bull maintain their competitiveness under the current technical regulations and into the next cycle, Villeneuve sees no reason why the tally cannot reach seven or eight titles. “He has the talent. Give him the chance at seven or eight world championships and he’ll take it,” Villeneuve concluded.
New regulations bring fresh opportunities
Verstappen’s quest for a fifth world championship begins in early March when Formula 1 enters a new regulatory cycle. The technical reset provides both opportunity and risk for Red Bull Racing, whose dominance in previous regulation changes has been inconsistent. The team excelled when ground-effect aerodynamics returned in 2022 but struggled during earlier transitions.
The partnership with Liam Lawson, who replaces Sergio Pérez for 2025, represents another variable in Red Bull’s title challenge. Verstappen has previously thrived with a strong teammate capable of scoring consistent points, something the team will hope Lawson can provide after his impressive performances as a stand-in during 2024.
Whether Villeneuve’s prediction proves accurate will depend on Red Bull’s ability to nail the new technical formula and maintain their edge as rivals like Ferrari—now armed with Lewis Hamilton—and McLaren continue their upward trajectories. What remains beyond doubt is Verstappen’s capacity to maximise whatever machinery he receives, a quality that has defined every one of his four championship-winning campaigns to date.
