Max Verstappen has acknowledged that securing the 2024 Formula 1 title might be out of his control due to Red Bull’s recent struggles, despite holding a commanding 70-point lead over Lando Norris in the Drivers’ Championship.
After McLaren’s dominant performance at Zandvoort, where Norris triumphed with a 22-second gap over Verstappen, concerns have escalated within Red Bull. The team has admitted that McLaren has now set the standard, with Verstappen expressing frustration over the RB20’s increasing difficulty to handle since recent updates.
The Dutch driver, who has been winless in the last five races, conceded that Red Bull’s current issues could jeopardize his pursuit of a fourth consecutive F1 title. “I just do the best I can,” Verstappen explained to the media, including Motorsport Week. “Whether I win it or not won’t change my life. Of course, I’d like to win, but it’s not entirely in my hands with how the car is performing.”
Despite the challenges, Verstappen remains committed to pushing the team forward. “We’re going to give it everything we have as a team to be more competitive,” he said, reflecting on the tough weekend in Zandvoort. “I didn’t expect the season to turn out like this, especially after how we started, but now it’s up to us to improve.”
During the Aragon GP, Verstappen opted for an earlier-spec floor, while his teammate Sergio Perez used the updated version as Red Bull tested new configurations. Although the upgrades seemed effective, Verstappen has no regrets about sticking with the older package. “I just try to find the best setup for the car,” he reiterated, emphasizing that winning the championship is still a priority, despite the limitations of the current car.
Verstappen also dismissed the idea that his substantial points lead would allow him to relax, stressing the importance of maintaining focus with over 200 points still up for grabs. “You can’t just assume things will go your way,” he cautioned. “There are still nine races and some Sprint races left. To secure the title, we need a perfect end to the season, and that’s going to be tough.”
As the season progresses, Verstappen remains optimistic but realistic, understanding that while the lead is significant, the path to victory is far from guaranteed.
