Two races where Max Verstappen thought the championship was slipping away from Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton

Two races where Max Verstappen thought the championship was slipping away from Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton

Max Verstappen had a terrific 2021 season, where he had 10 race wins to his name. The Dutchman finished on the podium for a record 18 times, and that being either just P1 or P2. Red Bull vastly improved from the 2020 season, where they were dominated by Mercedes. Red Bull won 11 races out of the 22 races on the calendar, although they came up short of winning the constructors title.

Max Verstappen was crowned the F1 champion last weekend, after claiming the victory at the Abu Dhabi GP. Going into the race, it was Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton who had the clear advantage, winning three consecutive races in Brazil, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

In an interview with former driver, David Coulthard, Max Verstappen revealed the two races where he felt that the championship could be slipping away from Mercedes. The Dutchman went on a dream run from French GP to the two Austrian GPs where he claimed three successive wins. Verstappen revealed that he was surprised by Red Bull’s performance at the two Austrian races, which he believes was the turning point for him.

Max Verstappen ‘baffled’ by Red Bull’s speed in Austria

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The first of the two Austrian Grand Prix’ were held in the Red Bull Ring. Max Verstappen won the race pretty comfortably, being almost 35 seconds ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who finished second. In the second Austrian GP, Max Verstappen again finished first, this time 18 seconds ahead of second placed, Valtteri Bottas. Lewis Hamilton could only manage to finish fourth, as Verstappen established a healthy gap between the duo.

Reflecting on the two race wins in Austria, Max Verstappen was rather surprised by Red Bull’s performance on those circuits. “The two Austria races, I mean when you look at the track, its not our track. It just does not look suited to our car, but all the time we go there, we are quick,” said Max.

“We do not know why we are that good. We know that the car is working well and stuff, but we cannot figure out why we are way clear of the others. In Mexico too, the altitude helps and we are always quick there, but sometimes the car is just better suited to a track,” added the Dutchman.

Max Verstappen also revealed that he was surprised to have earned the pole position at the US Grand Prix in October. He went on to win the race, defending against Lewis Hamilton on the final laps.

Also Read: Red Bull points out crucial Mercedes error in 2021 title feud