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Max Verstappen managed to win the championship again. The Dutchman dominated from the start of the season, but at one point he experienced a crisis, and it was expected that Lando Norris could spoil his plans. The British driver did not have the strength to fight with the Red Bull driver, aware of how difficult the task was.
Some believe that the race between Norris and Verstappen was the most difficult for the Dutchman. However, the new/old champion admits that things are not like that. The pressure that Verstappen felt in 2021 fighting for the title cannot be compared with anything. The last race of that season, the one in Abu Dhabi, decided the winner.
Lewis Hamilton had no luck, and Verstappen took advantage of the opportunity, continuing to dominate the following season. The Red Bull driver admits that the fight for the championship back then was specific, especially because Mercedes had dominated years ago with an experienced Briton at the helm.
“In 2021, there was a lot more pressure for me and the team,” Verstappen said, as quoted by Gp Blog.
“Then we competed against Mercedes, a team that had been dominant for so long, and I was able to fight for a championship for the first time.
Lewis Hamilton and I finished first and second almost every race. It could have gone either way back then. This year there may have been a bit more drama around the team, but in terms of sport it was a bit more stressful back then.”
The new F1 champion surprised many by revealing that some teams had done various things to gain an advantage. Red Bull accused McLaren of using water to cool the tires, although there is no evidence of such a thing. Verstappen is convinced that was indeed the case.
“There were things that happened in the background, which meant that we had no chance at all in certain races,” Verstappen said. “I know that for sure, but no one will ever admit that.”
The heated battle during the entire season probably influenced the leaders of certain teams to really think about the moves that would help them gain an advantage. Pointing the finger at McLaren at this point is redundant, especially since there is no evidence for it. Nevertheless, the F1 regulatory bodies are observing the situation and analyzing the season, and we have no doubt that they will take concrete steps if this was indeed the case.
The Austrian team has struggled in some races during 2024, not having a recipe for great performances from other teams like McLaren. However, at one point, Max and the leaders of this team found a solution and put an end to who will become the champion. Do you think McLaren or anyone else cheated?
Red Bull problems
The beginning of the season was turbulent for the Austrian team, which had ambitions to win the championship again. However, the chaos that arose within the team created huge problems for Verstappen, who lost focus on the F1 tracks. At one point, the Dutchman said that he was ready to leave the team if Helmut Marko was released.
You could feel this team cracking under pressure. All of this had a huge impact on every individual on the team.
The Dutch driver admits that he still stands behind such words. Marko is a man with enormous experience, and a key person for the success of this team. Max realized that a persona like him was necessary for success.
What do you think would have happened if Helmut had left the team? Would Red Bull have been equally dominant, or would McLaren have taken advantage of the situation to win?
"I think it was important that I said that then. And I meant it, too. I wasn't bluffing. And they know that within the team too." Verstappen said.
"But on the other hand, I also don't think that if something goes wrong, you can immediately just say: I'm leaving. I'm not like that."
The 27-year-old decided to defend Jos Verstappen, his father, who filled the covers of motorsports magazines at the time. He was frustrated with the chaos within the team, not wanting his son to have to think about things outside of racing. Max believes that his father was right in talking about many things, stressing that many did not see the big picture of what was happening.
"That is nonsense. My father is very quick to see the bigger picture. And that certain things that happen affect the future of me and the team. Some people on the outside might not see that."
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