Ecclestone says his money is still on Max for fifth F1 title

LONDON - Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone says his money is still on Red Bulls Max Verstappen to win the Formula One championship this year for the fifth year in a row.

Such a feat of five successive championships has only been achieved previously by Michael Schumacher with Ferrari from 2000-2004. The German also won two titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995.

The 2025 season is expected to be closer than ever, after four teams and seven drivers won races last year.

Im pleased in lots of ways that it (the championship) is open in the way that it is, and its good, Ecclestone, 94, told Reuters by telephone from Switzerland on Friday.

I still think Max will win.

Theres no reason why he shouldnt. If hes got the equipment, obviously thered be no discussion about him. It would be a definite.

If the cars up to it, hell get the job done.

The season starts in Australia on March 16 and the race in Melbourne could see a change at the top for the first time since May 2022, with Verstappen having led the championship for more than 1,000 days.

Red Bull lost their constructors title to McLaren last season but Verstappen, the clear Red Bull number one, finished comfortably clear of McLarens runner-up Lando Norris in the standings.

Norris is the bookmakers favourite to succeed this time, with Red Bull doing the least mileage of any team in Bahrain testing and looking like they had ground to make up.

Verstappen has a new teammate this year with New Zealander Liam Lawson replacing Sergio Perez after the Mexicans form plunged in 2024.

Youd have to obviously think McLaren and Id like to see Ferrari win, said Ecclestone, who felt Charles Leclerc had more of a chance than new