Verstappen Denies Need for External Challenge to Fuel His Motivation
In the midst of a thrilling Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen has emphasized that he doesn’t require an external challenge to push himself to the limit, despite the growing threat from Red Bull’s rivals.
Verstappen’s maiden F1 title triumph in 2021 was marked by a nail-biting battle with seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, which went down to the wire. However, Red Bull’s dominance in 2022, with Verstappen winning 34 races in the previous two seasons combined, raised questions about the level of competition.
“Well, this is always from the outside, it seems like there is no challenge,” Verstappen said at Imola. “I’m challenging every single weekend to try and get the most out of it. For me, it’s never boring, because I don’t need another team or another driver to give me that challenge. I’m in a constant challenge with myself to try and get the best out of things.”
This season, Verstappen stormed to four wins from the opening five races, but Ferrari and McLaren have since closed the gap, even managing to pip Red Bull in some instances. When asked if he’s had to up his game in response to the increased competition, Verstappen denied the need for external motivation, citing his own internal drive to extract the maximum each weekend.
Verstappen acknowledged that his team’s rivals have been improving and making their cars more competitive. However, he also contended that Red Bull deserved credit for optimizing each race during its record-breaking success last term to capitalize on its rivals’ shortcomings.
“Was it because we were doing everything right or people were doing things wrong, you know, or the other way around?” Verstappen queried. “It’s always very difficult to tell, but of course, you always have to try and be on top of your game, but naturally that is not always the case. I mean, you can’t have every single weekend where everything goes perfect, that’s simply impossible. But you always try to be as close as you can be to that perfection. But sometimes it works out a bit better.”
As the 2024 FIA WEC season approaches, Formula 1 fans can expect more intense battles on the track, with Verstappen’s determination to stay on top of his game set to be put to the test. Will Red Bull be able to regain its dominance, or will Ferrari and McLaren continue to close the gap? One thing is certain – the current season is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in recent years.
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