Max Verstappen on the backfoot in title fight for the first time in three years

Max Verstappen faces a real threat of losing the 2024 F1 title as Red Bull struggle to fight rivals for victory.

Max Verstappen on the backfoot in title fight for the first time in three years

Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko, and Christian Horner (Via: Imago)

Max Verstappen dominated Formula 1 at the start of the ground-effect era. The Dutch driver seemed to be in a league of his own as he clinched his third consecutive title last season. However, it seems that Verstappen now faces a real challenge to safeguard his championship hopes for 2024.

At the start of the 2024 season, many believed that Max Verstappen would once again have an easy cruise to the title. Perhaps, the Dutch driver would continue to shatter several records. However, Red Bull no longer enjoys the advantage it used to have against the competition.

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Formula 1 has witnessed seven different race winners this year. Albeit Verstappen is the only one who has won more than a single race. Nevertheless, pressure is mounting on the Red Bull driver. As the Dutchman might be finally be on the backfoot in the title fight against the likes of Lando Norris and McLaren after a disastrous Hungarian GP.

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Max Verstappen faces a setback even before start of Belgian GP

The Belgian GP is certainly a fan-favorite. The iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit is loved by virtually the entire paddock. However, Max Verstappen will be taking a ten-place grid penalty for the race for taking his fifth Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) of the season.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton (Via: Imago)

For the first time since 2021, Max Verstappen has gone winless for three weekends in a row. Coupling this with the outburst in Hungary, shows how frustrated the Dutchman is, while his rivals show promising pace. Verstappen’s collision with Lewis Hamilton only makes matters worse.

The reigning world champion has not been in such a situation since his 2021 title fight with Hamilton. Although, the Dutch driver will push himself to the limit to win, it is clear that he is not as comfortable as he used to be. Unfortunately, Red Bull is in a similar place with upgrades not providing the desired results on track.

Max Verstappen and Red Bull have everything to lose in the remainder of the 2024 season. The Dutchman still leads the standings. However, a few more difficult weekends and Verstappen could see himself losing the lead to Norris. As such, it is time for the reigning world champion to fully concentrate on the title fight and reassert himself as the best driver on the grid.

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