Max Verstappen has named consistency as the key which will unlock a fifth straight F1 crown as he faces the "reality" of being 25 points behind in the title race. The reigning world champion currently sits 25 points behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri as F1 heads to the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona, a race he has previously won four times, including on his debut for the team in 2016. Verstappen has experience of overcoming big points disadvantages, wiping out a 47-point lead Charles Leclerc held over him in 2022 to land his second title, as he tries to emulate Michael Schumacher in '25 by winning five straight drivers' crowns. Reflecting on the situation after one-third of the season, Verstappen explained how consistency was key. "I think I do prefer being 50 points in the lead than being 20 behind or whatever," Verstappen told Red Bull's in-house TalkingBull podcast. "Everyone prefers that, but of course, that is not the reality, but it is still a very long season, we [wanted to do well in Monaco], and we want to do very well in Barcelona, and that is how you keep going. "Imola was a very positive weekend for us, and street circuits are always a little bit more hectic and sometimes a bit more random with the result, but there are plenty of races left where we can do a good job. "You just always try to maximise what you have got, if that is winning races or not. "That is always what you have to try and aim for, be consistent as you can be throughout the year without making too many mistakes. That is always the key."
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