As the ongoing Red Bull saga unfolds with fractions, Max Verstappen remains unyielding. With two races, two wins, two pole positions, and a clear status as the favorite for the title, Verstappen shows no signs of faltering.
He aims to match his own record of 10 consecutive wins at the 2024 Australian Grand Prix, showcasing outstanding performances on the track.
Have we witnessed any driver consistently deliver performances week after week, akin to what the 26-year-old has been doing for the past few years? Arguably not. Despite the looming uncertainty surrounding Red Bull’s position at the forefront, Verstappen remains in scorching form, a fact that should not be overlooked.
Verstappen’s performance is truly exceptional.
Unfortunately, for those not rooting for Verstappen, the 2024 F1 season has been rather lackluster. Races often begin with the assumption of who will come in second behind Verstappen, with little anticipation for a competitive battle for the win.
It’s arguable that if Verstappen had a stronger teammate, the races would be more engaging. This assertion holds weight. Sergio Perez is undeniably a skilled driver, highly regarded before joining Red Bull in 2021. However, it’s Verstappen’s dominance over Perez that raises doubts about the Mexican’s capabilities.
While drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, or Lando Norris would undoubtedly provide Verstappen with stiffer competition, even they would find it challenging to consistently outperform him at present.
Verstappen’s allure in the past lay in his ability to display aggression and flair in winning races or securing podiums despite inferior machinery. His track record of winning at least one race in every season with Red Bull since 2016 is a testament to this, deserving significant recognition.
Max Verstappen achieved his 56th career victory at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP, marking his 100th podium out of 188 starts. There’s a laser-like focus on continually augmenting his remarkable statistics.
Upon learning about this milestone, Verstappen humorously quipped to the press, “It’s 88 missed podiums!” However, he expressed satisfaction with reaching the 100-podium mark, emphasizing that he’s not particularly fixated on statistics. Instead, his primary aim is to maintain a race-by-race focus, striving for the best possible results consistently.
regardless of off-track distractions
Verstappen’s remarkable mindset and unwavering focus in 2024 underscore his belief that racing is paramount,.
While he may align with his father, Jos Verstappen, and harbor doubts about team principal Christian Horner, whose investigation into misconduct allegations concluded in February, Verstappen remains undeterred.
Disagreements between the majority shareholders, the Yoovidhya family from Thailand (holding 51 percent), and the Austrian shareholders led by Mark Mateschitz and CEO Oliver Mintzlaff are evident.
If faced with the choice between losing either Horner or Verstappen, the logical decision would undoubtedly be to retain the driver who has clinched three consecutive drivers’ world titles and is poised to potentially secure a fourth this year.
Throughout the ongoing Red Bull saga, Verstappen has been forthright with the media, emphasizing the importance of keeping Helmut Marko within the team.
For an average person, workplace conflicts or personal issues might impact their mindset, but Verstappen possesses the ability to address media inquiries and then seamlessly transition to focus on his driving, as if everything is business as usual. This resilience is a remarkable quality to have.
Verstappen remarked, “I’ve always maintained that the most crucial aspect is maintaining teamwork and harmony within the team. I believe that’s a shared sentiment among all of us within the team. Hopefully, moving forward, this remains fully intact. Everyone is committed to working towards the same goals.”
He continued, “One positive aspect amid all of this turmoil is that it hasn’t affected our performance. It speaks volumes about the strength of our team. Both mentally and physically, everyone, from the drivers to the mechanics and engineers, remains dedicated to their respective roles. Despite any distractions, they remain steadfast in their commitment to excel in their tasks.”
Verstappen, often hailed as the “Mentality Monster,”
Embodies an exceptional mental fortitude commonly observed in sports, particularly in football and basketball. This term denotes an unwavering resilience, determination, and focus that enables athletes to consistently perform well under pressure and overcome obstacles.
In American sports culture, this mindset is sometimes referred to as the “Mamba Mentality,” inspired by the legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant.
Athletes like Verstappen are renowned for their unyielding concentration, strong mental attitude, and capacity to excel in challenging circumstances, making them formidable competitors.
Verstappen’s upbringing, characterized by his father Jos Verstappen’s strict discipline, likely contributes to his mental strength. His relentless drive to compete is evident, as demonstrated by his commitment to racing.
For instance, at the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP, after securing pole position, Verstappen spent hours engaging in simulated racing until the early hours of the morning, showcasing his dedication. This commitment exemplifies his approach to life and competition.
Verstappen currently stands at third place on the all-time Grand Prix winners’ list, having surpassed Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, and Sebastian Vettel in 2023. Ahead of him are Michael Schumacher with 91 wins and Lewis Hamilton with 103 victories.
While it’s unlikely that Verstappen will reach their numbers in 2024, given his current tally of 56 career wins, he could achieve remarkable success in terms of consecutive victories.
In 2023, Verstappen secured an impressive ten consecutive wins from the 2023 Miami GP in May to the 2023 Italian GP in September, before encountering a setback in Singapore. Subsequently, he clinched victory in the final seven races of the 2023 season and has already won the opening two events in 2024, extending his streak to nine consecutive wins.
This suggests that Verstappen has the potential to equal his own record of 10 consecutive wins at the 2024 Australian GP, and there’s speculation about how long this streak might extend. With the top driver in the best car, the outcome is evident.
Both driver and team are executing flawlessly on the track, making it difficult to envision Verstappen not securing victories in Australia, Japan, China, and Miami before the European races commence with Imola on May 19.
Despite the ongoing off-track battles at Red Bull, there appears to be no competitor capable of challenging Max Verstappen on the racetrack.
