Verstappen Surprised by Fan Support Shift After Underdog 2025 Season

Max Verstappen, long a polarizing figure defined by his on-track dominance, experienced a surprising shift in fan sentiment during the 2025 season. Cast as an underdog in a title fight he ultimately lost by two points, the four-time champion found himself cheered rather than booed. Verstappen admits the change caught him off guard, suggesting that his struggle allowed fans to finally see his authentic personality beyond the ruthless dominator.

Why it matters:

The transformation of Verstappen's public image from a villain to a fan-favorite underdog highlights how narrative shapes fan engagement in F1. His late-season charge, which fell just short of Lando Norris, showcased his resilience and talent beyond the context of a dominant car, earning him newfound respect. This shift could redefine his legacy and relationship with the sport's audience moving forward, proving that vulnerability can be a powerful tool for a superstar.

The details:

• The 2025 Context: Verstappen trailed the championship leader by a daunting 104 points at his home race in Zandvoort, before mounting a relentless comeback that took the title fight to the final round in Abu Dhabi.
• On the Underdog Role: "I mean, surprising," Verstappen said on Red Bull's Talking Bull podcast. "I think naturally, of course, with an underdog role, people will start to support you a bit more, but I guess maybe they finally start to realise who I am – who I really am."
• Authenticity Over Image: He insists his personality hasn't changed, but the circumstances have. "I don’t try to be a fake person in the paddock or whatever, that’s just not how I am," he stated, emphasizing that his grounded nature is a product of his family and close friends.
• A New Perspective on Winning: Verstappen appears unfazed by the narrow defeat, questioning whether his final championship tally will matter in the long run. "Honestly, it doesn’t really matter what you have done, like, when I’m going to be 50 years old, 60 years old, do you think I care if I’ve won four or seven [titles]?"

Looking Ahead:

While he lost the championship by the slimmest of margins, Verstappen may have won a more enduring battle for public perception. His philosophy is to manage stress, which he views as the real enemy to performance and longevity. "Stress is very bad for you, and you’re going to die sooner if you have a lot of stress, so I’m going to be 250 years old!" he joked. This more relatable, humanized version of Verstappen, forged in a season of struggle, could prove to be just as valuable as another title.