The gaps are narrowing, Max Verstappen finds it “stimulating”
Victorious in Montreal, Max Verstappen experienced a stressful race, worried by George Russell and then Lando Norris. Gaps are narrowing between competitors, which may not necessarily displease the reigning world champion.
In 2023, Red Bull swept everything. The Austrian team had a nearly perfect season by winning 21 out of the 22 Grand Prix races, something never seen before in history. The 2024 season started just like the previous one had ended, with Red Bull claiming the top step of the podium in the first two Grand Prix races. But since then, Formula 1 fans, who were starting to imagine a resurgence of Austrian dominance, have had the chance to hear something other than the Dutch anthem on Sunday afternoons. Carlos Sainz was the first to snatch the first place from Max Verstappen, followed by victories from Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.
So few were those who predicted that the battle would intensify for the championship, yet all are happily following the fact that the gaps are closing like this. This is even the case for Max Verstappen.
Translate: « It’s definitely more stimulating. And I think that with today’s race, it was very exciting overall. It pushes us to stay humble. We can’t afford to make mistakes, even small ones. So, yes, every little detail matters now, » explains the world champion to our microphone.
Only 49 points ahead of Ferrari
After nine races this year, Red Bull has 301 points in the constructors’ championship and a 49-point lead over Ferrari in second place. For comparison, at the same stage in 2023, Red Bull had already scored 377 points while its runner-up, Aston Martin at the time, only had 175 points, a difference of 202 points.
While McLaren once again proved its status as the second force in the paddock in Montreal and with the surprising return of Mercedes to the top, the season is therefore tending to be less monotonous. At least, let’s hope so…
