Max Verstappen is facing his toughest title defence yet in the 2025 F1 season with an underperforming Red Bull car.
The four-time world champion has noticeably changed his demeanour with the media, becoming more reserved in his press conferences.
Despite driving at an exceptionally high level, Verstappen is struggling with the RB21, which is proving more difficult to handle than its predecessors.
McLaren has emerged as a serious threat, following through on the promise they showed last season.
Max Verstappen has distinctly changed his demeanour with Dutch media
ReutersDutch journalist Nelson Valkenburg has highlighted Verstappen's change in approach, particularly in his native language press conferences.
"He is extremely reserved. We're all a bit flabbergasted, especially in front of a camera, the answers we're getting," Valkenburg said on The Race F1 podcast.
"It seems like he's just decided 'Ok, this is the season I'm having to deal with. I'm going to deal with it by keeping all my cards close to my chest and speaking within a very small circle within the team'."
From the Japanese GP, Verstappen will have a new teammate in Yuki Tsunoda, his sixth driver partnership since joining Red Bull.
This change comes after Liam Lawson's disappointing two-race stint with the team.
Verstappen hopes Tsunoda will provide better feedback to help improve the struggling RB21.
Lawson's performance was notably poor, with his long run pace significantly behind competitors like Kimi Antonelli and Charles Leclerc.
Red Bull's current form is roughly what was expected after pre-season testing revealed they had fallen to third-best behind Ferrari and McLaren.
Verstappen has suffered badly from poor tyre wear, further hampering his championship defence.
Despite these challenges, Valkenburg noted: "He's driving at such a high level but he's almost making a mockery of the car."
The Dutchman currently sits second in the championship and was the top scorer in the China race rankings.
Max Verstappen has had a tough start to the season at Red Bull
ReutersRed Bull knows it has until mid-season to improve its performance or risk losing Verstappen.
The Dutchman's contract contains a performance-based clause that could allow him to leave at the end of 2025.
This clause can be activated if Red Bull fails to secure a position in the top three of the Constructors' Championship.
Rumours suggest Verstappen is already exploring potential alternatives should he decide to leave the team.
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Max Verstappen is gunning for a fifth world title this seasonReutersMercedes and Aston Martin appear to be the most likely destinations in such a scenario.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has made no secret of his interest in signing Verstappen.
Wolff has been "openly courting" the Dutch champion since Lewis Hamilton's departure from the team.
According to sources, Wolff admitted in Drive to Survive that he no longer feels bound by any previous agreement with Hamilton.
