Max Verstappen fell just two points short of clinching the world title in Abu Dhabi. Lando Norris, with his third-place finish in the race, managed to win the championship for the first time in his F1 career, thereby ending the Dutchman’s streak of four world titles. However, Verstappen is at peace with this outcome, as he explains after the Grand Prix: ‘Missing two points is just the way it is.’
The Red Bull driver even addresses the press ‘with a fairly satisfied feeling’ after the race. “We did everything we could to stay in the title fight. It’s a shame to fall two points short in the end, but our first half of the season was simply too inconsistent.” For instance, Max Verstappen followed up his tenth place in Spain with a podium finish in Canada. However, since the summer break, the Dutchman made a tremendous comeback, reducing his deficit of 104 championship points to the leader to just two.
“In the second half of the season, I did a good job,” Verstappen also says. “I had some luck at certain moments due to the mistakes and disqualification of McLaren, which suddenly put me back in the fight. Missing two points now is just the way it is. It doesn’t really matter whether it’s one, two, or fifty.”
No Regrets
Despite the outcome, the racer still held hope during the race that the title might swing his way. “Of course, I was watching the screens to see if anything would happen,” admits Max Verstappen during the press conference. “But I was simply enjoying the race, driving the car. It’s ultimately part of racing, so I’m not overly concerned.” The four-time world champion therefore emphasizes having ‘no regrets’ about his season. “I sometimes hated the car, but at other times I loved it. It was truly a roller coaster with this vehicle, but now everything is running smoothly and there’s a good atmosphere in the team.”
Advice to Norris
The four-time world champion was therefore not too disappointed when he crossed the finish line in Abu Dhabi, and even has some advice for his successor Lando Norris. “He should enjoy it; you never know how often this will happen in your life,” says Verstappen. “Your first world title is always very special, so I hope he’s going to have a big celebration tonight.”
