Max Verstappen's fourth F1 title victory is now officially part of the record books, but the road to this point hasn’t been without its share of drama and controversy. After clinching the championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he secured enough points to make it mathematically impossible for his closest rival, Lando Norris, to catch up, the Dutch driver has gone on to make some bold statements about what might have been if he had been driving for different teams.
During post-race interviews, Verstappen suggested he could have wrapped up the title even earlier had he been behind the wheel of McLaren’s car. “Yes, even earlier,” he said when asked if he could have secured the championship sooner with the MCL38 machine. He even compared it to driving for Ferrari, claiming it would have been “pretty much the same.” While such claims are typical of Verstappen’s confident demeanor, they haven’t gone without rebuttal from some of his F1 peers.
Lando Norris, Verstappen’s fiercest competitor this season, didn’t hold back when asked for his opinion on Verstappen’s comments. Norris stated, “He should start doing comedy or something,” clearly expressing his disagreement. Norris, who finished the season with three wins to Verstappen's eight, believes the reality of the racing season is far removed from Verstappen's bold assertions. “He can say whatever he wants. Of course, I completely disagree, as I would,” he mentioned, emphasizing his skepticism about the claims.
This back-and-forth between the two drivers highlights not only their competitive spirits but also the intense dynamics within the world of Formula 1. Norris acknowledged the strength of McLaren’s performance during certain stretches of the season but noted the early dominance of Red Bull when Verstappen kicked off the season with four victories out of the first five races.
Norris said, “For the majority of the season we've had a decent car compared to Red Bull. Yet when I’ve been winning, Max has been second, third, and vice versa.” He pointed out the stark difference in performance when Red Bull had the upper hand, calling the McLaren’s adaptation and improvement late-season “incredible.”
Adding another layer, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc also weighed in on Verstappen’s statements. Leclerc acknowledged Verstappen’s undeniable talent, saying, “Max is a very special driver... maybe it is a bit of stretch to say something like to compare the cars.” His comments echoed the sentiment of skepticism surrounding the feasibility of Verstappen's claims. He opened up about how, realistically, assessing the capabilities of one car against another without firsthand experience is nearly impossible.
And speaking of dynamics, the championship tension isn’t just among drivers. There's also the looming pressure on constructors. McLaren is making strides to reclaim glory, leading Ferrari by 24 points and Red Bull by 53 points as they aim for the constructors' title, something they haven’t claimed since 1998. Ferrari is vying for their first title since 2008, making this competition particularly heated as the season winds down.
The scene at the Qatar Grand Prix is poised to be one of strategic clashes, as teams scramble to maximize their points. Amidst the technical brawls, the subplots surrounding driver relationships and competitive rivalries add another dimension to the spectacle. Norris mentioned how Red Bull could have potentially dominated both the drivers' and constructors' standings if Sergio Pérez had performed closer to Verstappen’s level, making it clear how competitive the environment remains.
Verstappen himself, reflective after his Vegas triumph, admitted to feeling the rush of emotions post-victory. He described the season as “very intense” and looked back at the challenge with pride, stating, “I was like ‘it’s done! It’s been challenging at times, but I’m very proud of how we handled everything.”
On whether this fourth title felt different from the previous three, Verstappen affirmed, “This one was very rewarding.” Victories may be sweet, but the grind over the season—filled with tactical adjustments, performance peaks, and competitive pressure—has made this title particularly fulfilling for the reigning champion.
Looking forward, Verstappen and Red Bull now have their eyes set on future seasons, knowing significant portions of their car’s setup need updates. He expressed how the tight competition among the top teams has created added excitement, stating he is ready to absorb every lesson from the remaining races and adapt for 2025. “We’re still going to try and learn... we have to improve on, and we’ll try to work on,” he said.
Witnessing the tension build between drivers, the constructors’ battle heat up, and the voices of the competitors grow louder has made the 2024 F1 season particularly unforgettable. Verstappen’s comments are fueling fresh debates and rivalries, ensuring the upcoming races will be anything but ordinary.
