Ex-F1 champion claims Max Verstappen has ‘resigned’ from hopes of winning 2024 title

Former F1 world champion Damon Hill hinted that Max Verstappen might've given up on winning his fourth F1 title this year.

Ex-F1 champion claims Max Verstappen has ‘resigned’ from hopes of winning 2024 title

Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen was considered the favorite for the 2024 title. The Dutch driver even won seven of the first ten races. However, Red Bull has fallen far behind McLaren and now is second in the teams’ standings. Now, former F1 champion Damon Hill has reckoned that the 26-year-old has lost hopes of defending his title this season.

Damon Hill claimed that Max Verstappen seemed to have ‘resigned’ from his title ambitions altogether. The British driver compared the Dutch driver’s behavior to his usual ‘feisty’ way of speaking as Verstappen usually simply asks the team to change things when he faces a problem.

YouTube video
I do think there is almost like a resignation with Max. Now, what if that's true? He's normally very feisty with his comments and demanding, and basically saying, ‘I can't, I'm not dealing with this, it's just no good, it's got to change.’
Damon Hill said, as reported by GPBlog

Hill reckoned that the Dutch driver might have realized that Red Bull is facing major problems at the moment. Subsequently, Max Verstappen understands that it is better for him to not shout about how unhappy he was on the team radio.

FS Video
And he has said a few things, but I think there's almost, maybe he can see that within the team there are such substantial problems that it's no good him just coming on the radio and saying, I'm not happy.
Damon Hill stated
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Max Verstappen

Damon Hill hints at Max Verstappen potentially looking to leave Red Bull

Max Verstappen is currently contracted to Red Bull till the end of 2028. However, he has been rumored to leave Milton Keynes on several occasions. Damon Hill reckoned that perhaps Verstappen was already on his way to a rival squad. As such, the reigning world champion did not need to rant about his struggles.

Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner (via IMAGO)
Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner (via IMAGO)
He's got to think of the future, where's the direction of travel from now on, if Red Bull are not competitive you. So those things can… Maybe he's got his future sorted out. Maybe he doesn't have to rant because he knows it's going to change, I don't know.
Damon Hill explained
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Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Mark Webber (Via IMAGO)

Nevertheless, Max Verstappen has shown complete faith in Red Bull so far. The reigning world champion has not expressed any interest in leaving the team despite the recent performance slump. As such, it is likely that fans will continue to see Verstappen race for the Milton Keynes outfit next season.