On the eve of the Brazilian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen spoke bluntly about his vision of the championship and the battle with Lando Norris, the McLaren driver who, after a growing season, has turned out to be the Dutch champion's main rival. With four races and two Sprints still on the calendar, Verstappen's 47-point advantage over Norris seems reassuring, and the Dutchman doesn't appear particularly worried.
Norris? A rival, but not a threat
When talking about the fight with Lando Norris, Verstappen maintains a relaxed, almost detached attitude. “Lando is a great driver,” he said, “but I wouldn't say there is a big rival who makes my life hell.” For Verstappen, this season is not a battle between two: the level of the cars is very close, so much so that there is no real “enemy” that could force him to review strategies or approaches. It is an endurance championship, in which each team has its chances, but no one, according to Max, is able to really put him in crisis. Calmly and confidently, waiting for the race in Brazil, Verstappen seems convinced that his management of pressure and aggression on the track will be enough to maintain control of the season and of Norris.
Red Bull: A season of obstacles
Verstappen's confidence comes despite the difficulties that Red Bull has faced in recent races. In Mexico, between penalties and engine problems, Max finished far from the podium, compromising part of his advantage over Norris. Furthermore, the uncertainty of his power units continues to keep the team on tenterhooks, with a possible grid penalty that could also compromise the Brazilian weekend. For a driver used to dominating without major obstacles, 2024 is proving more challenging than expected, with Verstappen forced to extract the maximum from a car that is not always the best on the track. But, as he himself stresses, he is still the leader, and nothing at the moment is distracting him from his final goal.
The future at Red Bull and the burden of a too full calendar
Verstappen looks to the future without worries: Red Bull remains his anchor, and the arrival of increasingly competitive opponents does not seem to worry him. With the experience gained and a team like Red Bull behind him, Max seems confident that he can handle any challenge that comes his way, even if it were to extend beyond 2024. “I'm happy with the way things are going,” commented, explaining that at the moment he has no intention of changing teams, at least as long as the team gives him a competitive car. However, the Dutchman does not hesitate to point the finger at the current 24-race calendar, calling it “an imposition on everyone”. In his opinion, a more streamlined calendar would benefit everyone, drivers and teams, helping them maintain the balance between performance and endurance.
Source statements: FormulaPassion
