Verstappen Credits 2018 Canadian GP as Career Turning Point
Max Verstappen credits his 2018 Canadian Grand Prix podium as the career turning point where everything "clicked." The result in Montreal ended a difficult start to his season and launched his era of dominance in Formula 1.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has pinpointed the 2018 Canadian Grand Prix as the definitive turning point in his Formula 1 career. After a frustrating start to the season marred by his own mistakes, a podium finish in Montreal was the moment he says everything "clicked." This race marked the end of a negative spiral and the beginning of his ascent to F1 dominance.
Why it matters:
This insight reveals the mental and psychological turning point behind Verstappen's era of dominance, showing that his success wasn't just about car performance but also a crucial shift in his mindset. It underscores the immense pressure in F1, where a young driver can easily fall into a "negative spiral" of errors, and how breaking that cycle is key to unlocking championship potential. The story provides a clear "before and after" narrative in his career, explaining the origin of the composed, dominant driver we see today.
The details:
- Verstappen admitted the first seven races of 2018 were a struggle, saying, "I was just making mistakes myself, and then you get into a negative spiral."
- He described trying to "push even harder" only for it to "all just not work out," leaving him "really upset with myself."
- The 2018 Canadian Grand Prix, where he finished third, was the catalyst for change. "I had a turnaround in Montreal... I think from that day, that's really when it clicked," he stated.
- The impact is staggering: Since that pivotal podium in Montreal, Verstappen has gone on to win 68 races and secure four consecutive World Championships.
The big picture:
While Verstappen's recent success has been defined by his partnership with a dominant Red Bull car, this revelation highlights that his journey as a driver had a critical inflection point. The 2018 Canadian GP serves as a powerful case study in driver development, demonstrating how overcoming mental hurdles can be just as important as technical advantages. It frames his current dominance not as an overnight phenomenon, but as the culmination of a mental breakthrough that happened years ago on the streets of Montreal.