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Jos Verstappen Opens Up on the Pressure of Max’s 2024 Title Battle

Publisher by Publisher
December 22, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Jos Verstappen Opens Up on the Pressure of Max’s 2024 Title Battle

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 07: Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner talks with Jos Verstappen in the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 07, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202412070074 // Usage for editorial use only //

The 2024 Formula 1 season wasn’t smooth sailing for Max Verstappen, who faced one of the toughest title defenses of his career. While the Dutchman clinched his fourth Drivers’ Championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix with two races to spare, the journey was anything but easy. Now, his father, Jos Verstappen, has revealed the toll the challenging season took on the family, admitting that he “felt the pressure” throughout the campaign.


A Far Cry from 2023 Dominance

For Jos Verstappen, the stark contrast between Max’s dominant 2023 season and the intense 2024 battle was palpable. Speaking candidly, the former F1 driver confessed that he often struggled to keep his emotions in check as the season unfolded.

“Absolutely. Now, at times I was eating myself up,” Jos admitted. “Things just happened where you could see that things were going in the wrong direction in terms of performance. And then it was sometimes quite difficult not to pick up the phone and call that person.”


A Season Full of Challenges

Unlike the dominant Red Bull campaigns of recent years, 2024 saw the team grappling with performance inconsistencies. Verstappen faced stiff competition from McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, as well as internal struggles within Red Bull. Jos admitted that the family endured moments of doubt, with visible missteps from the team adding to the tension.

“Things just happened where you could see that things were going in the wrong direction,” Jos said, referencing instances where Red Bull’s development trajectory faltered.


The Family Dynamic: Pressure Behind the Scenes

Max Verstappen has always credited his father for shaping his career, but the intense emotions behind the scenes came to light this season. Jos acknowledged that he found it challenging to hold back, even as mud-slinging rumors between himself and Christian Horner surfaced earlier in the year.

“So yes, it was definitely difficult at times to deal with everything,” Jos added. “We have had better seasons in which Max became champion.”


The Road Ahead for Red Bull

The Verstappen family’s concerns underscore a broader challenge for Red Bull Racing. The team faces mounting pressure from rivals like McLaren and Ferrari, who showed significant progress in 2024. Red Bull’s dominance in the ground-effect era is no longer guaranteed, and the upcoming 2025 season could mark a turning point for the team’s competitive trajectory.

As the winter break approaches, Red Bull will need to focus on addressing their weaknesses if they hope to maintain their status as F1’s top team. For Jos Verstappen, the hope is clear: a stronger Red Bull and a smoother ride for Max in the 2025 season.


Max Verstappen: The Ultimate Challenger

Despite the hurdles, Max Verstappen proved why he remains one of the best drivers on the grid. His ability to stay consistent under pressure and wrap up the championship with races to spare is a testament to his resilience and skill. However, with competition heating up, the Dutchman will need every ounce of that determination to keep his edge in 2025.

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