Verstappen Reflects on Season: 'If We Knew What We Know Now...'
Max Verstappen looks back at the first half of the F1 season, acknowledging missed opportunities and early car struggles that cost valuable points. He highlights a stronger second half with car improvements and a positive team atmosphere. With lessons learned and recent competitor setbacks, Verstappen is now optimistic about the title race, leveraging his championship experience against rivals.
Max Verstappen has reflected on the first half of the season, admitting that hindsight reveals moments where valuable points were lost. Despite a challenging start, a stronger second half has given him renewed hope in the title race, especially after recent events impacting rivals.
Why it matters:
Max Verstappen's candid reflection highlights the tight margins in Formula 1's championship battles. With the title race still wide open and recent disqualifications affecting competitors, every missed opportunity and every lesson learned becomes critical. His experience in high-stakes title deciders could be a significant factor moving forward.
The details:
- Early Season Struggles: Verstappen's first half of the season was not "what we wanted," with the RB21 not performing at the same level as its post-summer break counterpart.
- Missed Points: A significant incident was the clash with George Russell in Barcelona, which resulted in a penalty, dropping Verstappen from fourth to tenth place and costing crucial points.
- Post-Summer Improvements: The car's performance significantly improved after the summer break, thanks to upgrades that allowed the RB21 to keep pace with the MCL39.
- Team Dynamics: Verstappen noted a "positive atmosphere" within the Red Bull team and improved car handling in the latter half of the season, though acknowledging it's "still not good enough at times."
- Lessons Learned: Despite rule changes for next year, Verstappen emphasizes that the lessons learned this season, particularly regarding the team's working methods, are vital for Red Bull's future competitiveness.
What's next:
Verstappen heads into the Qatar Grand Prix 24 points behind leader Lando Norris, but with increased optimism. The recent disqualification of both McLarens in Las Vegas has provided a significant boost to his title prospects.
- Experience Advantage: Verstappen believes his past experience in championship-deciding races, such as Abu Dhabi 2021, gives him an edge over less experienced rivals like Norris and Piastri in high-pressure situations.
- Future Competitiveness: While optimistic about the lessons learned, Verstappen acknowledges that next year's competitiveness is unknown due to rule changes, emphasizing the ongoing importance of this year's developments for the team's future.