Interview

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In an exclusive RacingNews365 interview, Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds has predicted that Max Verstappen will claim a fifth consecutive F1 drivers' title this year.

Dodds has a successful track record when it comes to making predictions surrounding Verstappen, with the FE CEO having bet $250,000 last year that no driver would beat the Red Bull driver to the title.

Despite winning the bet and not having to part ways with the cash, Dodds still donated the money to charity. Not only that, he split the destination of the funds 50/50 with Verstappen.

The reigning world champion chose for $125,000 to go to Red Bull's charity partner Wings for Life, whilst Dodds chose for the other half to go to a new fund to support finding opportunities for women in motorsport.

Whilst Red Bull failed to defend its constructors' title following a difficult end to 2024, Dodds still sees Verstappen ending this year as world champion once again.

"I think it's going to be a remarkably close F1 season," Dodds told RacingNews365 in an exclusive interview. "I think it'll be closer than last season, and the second half of last season was close.

"Obviously, there's a load of stuff going on in F1 that makes it very interesting. I think Lando's [Norris] tail is up. Obviously Lewis [Hamilton] to Ferrari is a really interesting story.

"I think certainly Mercedes were getting their mojo back towards the end of the season. I think Adrian [Newey] at Aston Martin [is interesting], although he may not have time to make much impact yet.

"And, obviously, the Red Bull investments around [becoming a] engine manufacturer. There's just loads of great stuff going on. I would still maintain at the end of the season, I still think Max takes five."

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Crucial Verstappen advantage

A key detail about Red Bull this year compared to McLaren and Ferrari is how team principal Christian Horner treats his drivers.

McLaren and Ferrari have clearly stated that both of its drivers will be treated as equals, whilst Verstappen is the clear number one driver at Red Bull.

Dodds believes having a lead driver when a season is very competitive is a huge advantage, further supporting his prediction that Verstappen will defend his title yet again.

"I still think Max takes it," added Dodds. "I think in motorsport history, there are two types of teams, aren't there?

"There are teams that have two equal drivers of equal prominence and experience, and there are those that have a very clear first driver.

"And I think it's going to be an incredibly competitive season, and I think in incredibly competitive seasons having a clear A driver and B driver is very helpful for teams.

"He's coming off four world championships [in a row], and if the car is broadly competitive, I think he takes it."

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