Reflecting on the first half of the season, Max Verstappen expresses overall satisfaction. After a highly dominant 2023 season, the reigning world champion has increasingly had to yield to competition in recent months. However, Verstappen isn’t fazed, having anticipated that Red Bull would have to compromise on speed this year. “That only makes it more exciting!”
“I knew that we would never have a season like last year again,” Max Verstappen recently told F1TV. “So, I was somewhat prepared for this. But I didn’t expect such a swift shift in performance compared to other teams.” The competition has only intensified over the past few months. Initially, Ferrari seemed to be the most formidable opponent, but in recent weeks, Verstappen has primarily been contending with McLaren and Mercedes.
With the increasing competitiveness of other teams, seven different drivers have already won a Grand Prix in 2024. The last time this happened was in 2012! “I don’t think anyone saw that coming,” Verstappen laughed, “but that only makes it more beautiful.”
We Are Not Robots
“Many people thought it would be boring again, and then a season like this comes along,” he continued. “Of course, I would have liked to win more, but in the end, I am always in a battle with myself. Whether I’m twenty or thirty seconds ahead or really in a fight, that feeling is always there,” said the three-time world champion.
“Personally, you always try to get the maximum out of it,” Max Verstappen further explained. “Whether that’s in a fight with others or not, you always try to push the limit. But sometimes you have to be realistic and there’s just no more in it. Even though that’s sometimes hard to swallow, we’re not robots. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy compared to last year. But we’re going to do everything we can to get back to that level.”
