Max Verstappen pinpoints biggest takeaway from fierce 2024 title battle
After successfully defending the championship in the third fastest car, Max Verstappen revealed the biggest takeaway from the 2024 season.
Follow Us
Max Verstappen (via Red Bull)
Max Verstappen and Red Bull started the season as the favorites but were soon relegated to being on the back foot since the RB20 started showing tantrums. Despite this, McLaren‘s resurgence with Lando Norris could not defeat the Dutchman to the driver’s title. This showed Verstappen the importance of staying calm as he later revealed.
Since Miami, McLaren was generally the fastest car on paper with Red Bull more often than not being the third fastest. This performance gap widened as the season progressed and the Austrian giant found it difficult to solve the woes of the troublesome RB20.
On the other hand, this left Max Verstappen with a 78-point lead to defend his title in the second half of the season. Moreover, it soon started shrinking as Lando Norris started winning races. This subsequently led to multiple flashpoints between the two drivers in Austin and Mexico City as the reigning champion went to various extents to defend his lead.
Despite this, his win in Brazil informally sealed the deal for him to take the 2024 title home. The championship triumph taught him a lesson about staying calm in difficult situations.
To stay calm in all the difficult situations. That’s not always easy. You’re always under pressure. In any case, driving a Formula 1 car at those speeds and then making the right decision is not always easy. It may seem that way, but it isn’t. Otherwise, anyone could do it, right? Otherwise, I would have become a professional footballer at the same time, if I could do all that too. But that’s not the case.
Max Verstappen via Formule 1 magazine
While Verstappen was relieved to win the title, the Briton’s first bite at the championship made him learn a few lessons. He is anticipated to incorporate them heading into 2025, before the regulation changes, and have a go at his maiden driver’s championship.
Max Verstappen reckons 2024 to be his strongest season ever
Though Verstappen asserts his 2023 title to be his favorite and stands strong on this stance, this year helped him learn valuable wisdom. His persistence amidst dire circumstances showed a world-champion mindset that helped him defend his grasp over the driver’s title.
Subsequently, the Dutchman claimed the 2024 season to be his strongest-ever in his decade-long F1 career.
Personally, I think this has been my strongest season. Last year was also very good, you always learn from that. But this season it was much more important to be very good.
Max Verstappen via Formule 1 magazine
On the other hand, rumors have been circulating the fanbase over his time in F1 as Verstappen would soon welcome his child next year. This might cause him to walk away from the sport as he might want to spend time with his family and newborn kid and formalize his relations with partner Kelly Piquet.
Stay Updated!
Geetansh Pasricha
(772 Articles Published)