As Max Verstappen continues to dominate the Formula 1 grid with an iron grip on both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, a growing chorus of rival teams and drivers are raising concerns about the future of the sport. With Verstappen’s seemingly unstoppable run of victories in 2024 and 2025, some are starting to question whether his overwhelming success is making F1 “boring.”
“Max is a phenomenal talent, there’s no denying that,” said Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion and Verstappen’s closest competitor in recent seasons. “But when one driver wins race after race, year after year, it takes away from the excitement that makes F1 special. Fans want competition. They want to see unpredictability, not just one person winning all the time.”
The 2025 season has seen Verstappen win every race thus far, with Red Bull’s car proving to be nearly untouchable. His blistering pace, combined with near-perfect racecraft, has left many rivals in his wake, often finishing multiple seconds behind by the end of each race.
While Verstappen’s success has brought him accolades and cemented his place as one of the sport’s all-time greats, some of his competitors are now openly voicing frustration with the lack of on-track battles for the lead. F1 fans around the world have also taken to social media, echoing concerns that Verstappen’s dominance is making the sport predictable and less thrilling to watch.
“This is not F1,” says Ferrari Team Principal
Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, has also weighed in, acknowledging Verstappen’s brilliance but voicing concerns about the lack of competition. “We all know Max is an extraordinary driver, but we need a championship that feels like a true battle,” Vasseur said. “When one team and one driver dominate for too long, it becomes more of a showcase than a sport. We’re in Formula 1 to compete.”
Even some of Verstappen’s fellow drivers have expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of the sport. Charles Leclerc, who has often found himself trailing Verstappen in both pace and results, admitted that “it’s frustrating to race against someone who is always so far ahead. We’re putting in our best efforts, but the gap is just too big.”
A Dominant Era or a Growing Problem?
Critics of Verstappen’s dominance point to the growing gap in performance between Red Bull and the rest of the field. The combination of Verstappen’s skill, coupled with Red Bull’s superior engineering, has made it nearly impossible for other teams to challenge for victories. Mercedes, Ferrari, and others have all struggled to catch up, with some pundits suggesting that the sport could be entering a period of stagnation.
“F1 is supposed to be the pinnacle of motorsport,” said former F1 driver turned commentator David Coulthard. “But right now, it feels like we’re watching the Max Verstappen show. It’s incredible, but it’s also starting to feel a little predictable.”
While some critics argue that Verstappen’s reign is a testament to his brilliance, others warn that the sport risks losing fans if the trend continues. F1’s popularity has soared in recent years, thanks in part to the emergence of intense rivalries and high-stakes drama. However, with Verstappen winning race after race with minimal challenge, there is growing concern that F1 could lose some of its spark.
The FIA Responds
In response to the criticisms, the FIA has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a level playing field for all teams, emphasizing the importance of fair competition. “We continue to monitor the balance of performance across the teams, and our focus remains on making sure that the sport remains exciting for fans,” an FIA spokesperson said.
Verstappen himself, ever the professional, has downplayed suggestions that his dominance is detrimental to F1. “I’m just doing my job,” he said after his latest victory. “It’s not my fault that we’ve got a great car, and I’m enjoying the challenge. I don’t control the competition, I just focus on winning.”
As Verstappen extends his streak and breaks more records, the question remains: Is F1 truly in a golden age of racing, or is Verstappen’s dominance signaling a need for change in the sport? Only time will tell if the competition can catch up or if this is simply the Max Verstappen era—one that may end up rewriting the history books, but at the cost of excitement.
