GettyMax Verstappen
NOS Sport•vandaag, 11:08
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Louis Decker
Formula 1 reporter
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Louis Decker
Formula 1 reporter
“If you become world champion again this year, will that be your best title?” The question from a British journalist at Autódromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City is not so crazy. Max Verstappen has to fight for points this season and fight back. “I really have to get the results out. We are still missing a bit of speed.”
Red Bull Racing, McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes battle for victories. Verstappen has not won nine grand prix in a row. “I haven’t had the fastest car in the field for a while,” he sighs. At the beginning of September he called his RB20 an undriveable monster. The well-oiled machine that his racing stable was last year no longer exists.
Nevertheless, Verstappen has title extension in his own hands. The gap of 57 World Championship points to McLaren rival Lando Norris with five race weekends to go can only be bridged if his team collapses or if he experiences extreme setbacks. The 27-year-old Dutchman has put in an almost flawless season, so it seems logical to regard the approaching fourth title as a career peak.
But anyone who thinks that Verstappen values a hard-fought title more highly than the previous three has not studied his ‘drive’ and character enough. The driver with starting number 1 (“that’s the best number”) wants to win always and everywhere. And if winning is impossible because the car is not capable? “Then I want to get the most out of it and achieve optimal results. That’s what I was hired for.”
AFVPerstappen with Sainz and Norris after qualifying in Mexico.
And so in Mexico a different answer comes out of his mouth than the journalist expected. “2023 is my best title. That will always be my answer. That year cannot be surpassed. It was also a much more enjoyable season for me. 2024 is more difficult, but above all I enjoy it a lot less. Last year the driving was more fun “The car is not running as we want now. That has to be much better next season.”
And that F1 fans are the winners this year because of exciting races? Verstappen doesn’t care. “That is exactly what the public does not understand. Last year we were dominant, but we were just very good. Very impressive to win so many races. I am very proud of that. I wish other drivers the best of luck when they reach 19 want to win races. That it now looks more fun to the outside world? Well, not to me.”
Achilles heel
The fact is that Red Bull Racing no longer dominates. Also in Mexico – the twentieth grand prix of the season – it initially seems important to limit the damage. About a month and a half ago, the team discovered the Achilles heel of the RB20.
“We are working hard on the solution, but that takes time. I could not attack the corners comfortably for a long time. The car is not strong in slow corners and suffers from curbs and bumps. We initially did not understand where the problem came from. And If you don’t see it, then you can’t adjust it,” says Verstappen, Cruijffian.
A windfall in the title battle is Ferrari’s form. The red brigade convinced with a 1-2 in Texas. Ferrari is also capable of winning in Mexico. Good news for Verstappen, because if Charles Leclerc (P4) and Carlos Sainz (pole position) interfere in the battle for victory, Lando Norris’ mission becomes increasingly difficult.
AFP
The Scuderia is the only team to start with two cars in the front rows. Sainz in particular is bursting with self-confidence. “We are continuing the line from the previous race. Now we have to finish the job,” says the Spaniard.
“We are usually better in the race than in qualifying. It looks very good, although pole position here is not even ideal because of the long run-up to the first corner and the enormous slipstream behind me.”
Sainz is not concerned with the rivals in starting positions 2 and 3. “I have less to lose than Lando and Max, so I am not worried about the first corner.”
‘Trainings were terrible’
In theory, Verstappen can sit back, avoid risk and calculate. He realizes that winning is not a necessity, but it doesn’t work that way for him. “I prefer a faster car so I can attack and get the points.”
In any case: staying ahead of Norris or, if necessary, keeping up is enough. The young Briton will have to operate carefully during overtaking maneuvers. “I know Max doesn’t give much space, but I expect my car to do well here.”
Verstappen admits that he misses winning. “I’m patient and waiting for the next opportunity. Maybe I can win another one this year”
Or will that happen at Hermanos Rodriguez – where he has already triumphed five times? Verstappen has a hard time about it. “The training sessions were terrible. I barely drove, we still have a lot of question marks. Ferrari is strong in the race and Norris’ McLaren looked very good; a lot of grip. I don’t expect a miracle.”
