Max Verstappen finds himself at the end of the season facing a significant challenge: attempting to secure his fourth F1 championship title despite a race car that no longer holds the advantage of previous Red Bull models.
As explained by Guenther Steiner, former director of Haas F1 Team, the Dutchman is working hard to maximize every point, despite often underwhelming performances compared to the cars of McLaren and Ferrari. This mindset pushes him to take risks— sometimes a successful strategy, as seen in Austin—but it has also cost him valuable points, such as during the Mexican Grand Prix.
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A feared driver, as calculating as he is unpredictable
Max Verstappen is a driver who is both bold and unpredictable. According to Steiner, Max is well aware that beating Norris is a complex task due to the current limitations of his F1 car. Indeed, the Red Bull driver hasn’t won a race in over ten Grand Prix, yet he remains at the top of the drivers’ standings. For the first time since the iconic 2021 season, Verstappen must battle on track and confront other drivers directly. He is extremely aware of the situation, able to master his F1 and push his limits turn after turn. (This might be a bit debatable for the Mexican GP, I concede.) Often, his boldness pays off, but in rare cases, as seen last week, it deprives him of a podium finish. “Max knows he can’t win purely on performance,” notes Steiner, but he plays for every possible point to make up for it.
Will you do anything different next time around given the penalties?
Max: "Maybe get a drink in the pitstop? I mean, the engine was off for 20s, so I had enough time!"pic.twitter.com/uYQBsFAfJH
— Verstappen News (@verstappenews) October 27, 2024
What will be the approach for the Brazilian Grand Prix?
With Brazil on the horizon, one might wonder which Verstappen will show up on the track: the aggressive attacker of recent races or the patient strategist willing to let Norris take the lead? According to Steiner, it’s likely that Max will adopt a measured approach to minimize risks and accumulate precious points. After all, he is still comfortably leading the drivers’ championship. “He’s one of the smartest drivers on the grid; he knows when to play the risk card, Steiner reminds us, although Verstappen will certainly not back down from a fight. His duel with Norris could be one of the season’s most anticipated, given the stakes and the growing rivalry between them. Can you feel the tension building over the last two or three races?
Verstappen’s success formula
How does Verstappen stay ahead in the championship despite not winning? How does he consistently come out on top in each duel with his rival Lando Norris, even with a decidedly less performant car? Simply put, he knows the rules: the infamous “racing guidelines.” By mastering the regulations, Verstappen can exploit gray areas-undefined or unclear zones-to launch his attacks. He turns every overtaking into a fuzzy situation where his rival, as well as the stewards, will struggle to determine the legality of the move. The catch is that his opponent must yield if he doesn’t want to end up on three wheels. Ultimately, if Max Verstappen wants to win, he doesn’t need to be the fastest; he needs to be the smartest. With such a lead in the championship thanks to his seven victories early in the season, Verstappen may have already clinched his fourth Formula 1 title.
Mercedes almost reached the $135 Million budget cap and they’re facing a dilemma
This article explores the challenges Max Verstappen faces with an underperforming F1 car, his strategic approach to the final races, and his secret to winning the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Featured image: Red Bull Content Pool
