Max Verstappen declared 2024 his most spectacular Formula One season but – if not his finest – after clinching his fourth consecutive title on the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The Red Bull star mirrored on the season’s challenges, telling reporters he didn’t have the quickest automobile for 70% of the 12 months – a stark distinction to his dominant 2023 marketing campaign, the place he gained 19 of twenty-two races in some of the lopsided seasons in championship historical past.
This 12 months, Verstappen has claimed victory a relatively modest eight occasions in 22 races. With simply two rounds remaining and stiff competitors from Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren, reaching double-digit wins appears unlikely. Yet, his capability to prevail amid fierce rivalry underscores the importance of his newest achievement.
“Last year, I had a dominant car, but I always felt that not everyone appreciated what we achieved as a team, winning 10 in a row,” Verstappen stated after ending fifth in Saturday’s race to safe an unassailable lead within the standings.
“Of course, our automobile was dominant [last year], but it surely wasn’t as dominant, I believe, as individuals thought it was.
“That [2023] is for certain my finest season. I’ll all the time look again at it as a result of even in locations the place perhaps we didn’t have the proper setup, we have been nonetheless succesful … our automobile was all the time fairly sturdy, to win races.
“But I’m also very proud of this season because … for 70% of the season, we didn’t have the fastest car, but actually we still extended our lead. So that is definitely something that I’m very proud of.”
Verstappen began the marketing campaign with seven pole positions in a row and gained seven of the primary 10 races. However, he then went on a streak of 10 winless races. The latter a part of the season has been about defending the sizeable lead he constructed within the early months.
“Every championship has actually been very different in emotions,” Verstappen stated.
“It won’t ever prime the feelings of the primary one as a result of that’s what you got down to do, and that’s your final dream and aim, to win one.
“But then, , the seasons have been very totally different – the second, and final 12 months’s one. And that’s, I believe, very stunning as a result of in the event that they’re all pretty related, that’s not as thrilling.
“Honestly, when I crossed the line, I was just very relieved. I was like, it’s over. It’s been a tough run of races, and I’m very happy that it rained in Brazil,” he added, referring to his standout win from seventeenth on the grid.
“To be honest with you, when I look back at this season, probably in 20 years’ time when I’m retired, Las Vegas ’24 as a race is not going to be in my top 10. But it’s still very special to win it here.”
Source: www.dailysabah.com