Max Verstappen: “We Never Really Lost the Fight for the F1 Title”
In a dramatic twist to the Formula 1 2023 season, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has made a bold declaration about his near-miss for a fifth consecutive world championship, insisting that coming up just two points short doesn’t feel like a defeat at all. The Dutch driver, who found himself trailing McLaren’s Lando Norris—who clinched his first title with a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi season finale—says the entire season’s narrative paints a different picture of competition.
After a dismal start to the season, Verstappen was in dire straits, sitting a staggering 104 points behind the second McLaren driver, Oscar Piastri, following the Dutch Grand Prix. However, the tide turned dramatically for Verstappen thanks to significant improvements in Red Bull’s car setup. Meanwhile, misfortunes plagued McLaren, with Norris and Piastri experiencing a litany of setbacks: driver errors, strategic blunders, and even a disqualification in Las Vegas for plank wear, which threw a wrench into their championship hopes.
Verstappen’s perspective on the season is refreshingly candid. In an exclusive interview with Dutch broadcaster Viaplay, he proclaimed, “We didn’t really lose it because we were never really in it.” His analysis reveals a strategic mindset; with two McLaren drivers competing fiercely against each other, points were siphoned away, leaving Verstappen to capitalize on their misfortunes as the season progressed. “A few crashes or strategy mistakes, disqualifications, and then at some point you’re in it. I don’t really feel like we missed out on anything,” he stated confidently.
Despite his impressive tally of eight grand prix victories—one more than Norris—Verstappen is unfazed by the points he lost at the Spanish Grand Prix when he collided with Mercedes’ George Russell. He reflected on that incident with a pragmatic approach, “First of all, we were never in the lead in the championship. We also received a lot of gifts ourselves.” In his view, the Barcelona incident was just one of many moments that could have gone differently, overshadowed by a series of misfortunes that plagued Red Bull throughout the season.
With striking clarity, Verstappen articulated that the championship wasn’t lost in Spain but rather through a series of unfortunate events throughout the season, including pit stop blunders and operational mishaps. “So, looking back, there are lots of things you could have done better,” he admitted, while also noting the pivotal moment when McLaren faced their own crisis in Las Vegas. “If that doesn’t happen, then you’re not even in the race,” he added, stressing that the unpredictable nature of racing often dictates outcomes.
In a world where every point counts, Verstappen’s philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: “In the end, it doesn’t matter if it’s one point, half a point, twenty points. Not winning is not winning. You’re either pregnant or you’re not. You’re not half pregnant, right?” His unapologetic honesty reflects not only his competitive spirit but also a deep understanding of the complexities and unpredictability of Formula 1 racing.
As fans and analysts dissect this thrilling season, one thing is clear: Max Verstappen may not have secured a fifth title, but his unyielding attitude and razor-sharp insights leave no doubt that he will be a force to be reckoned with in future seasons. What lies ahead for this tenacious driver? Only time will reveal the next chapter in Verstappen’s storied career.
