As the 2024 season nears its conclusion, Max Verstappen remains calm about the increasing pressure in the championship battle with McLaren’s Lando Norris.
With only six races left, the contest to crown this year's champion is tighter than ever. Norris trails Verstappen by 52 points, a gap that the Dutchman built earlier in the season. However, McLaren has gained momentum since Norris claimed his first victory in Miami, while Red Bull has faced its share of challenges. They addressed many of their car issues at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The remaining races will feature three Sprints, offering more points and intensifying the title fight. While many are captivated by this historic showdown, Verstappen is taking a relaxed approach to his chances of holding onto his lead.
“I’m not really worried about anything,” he said when asked about the title race and the upgrades that both Red Bull and McLaren are set to introduce this weekend. “I just want to enjoy myself and do my best.”
“Every race matters. This one is important too, and we want to do well. We’ll see how the upgrades affect the car, and with the changes to the track’s surface, we’ll need to adapt quickly.”
Verstappen acknowledged that improving the car could ease their situation, but he also admitted, “At the moment, we know we’re lacking quite a bit. We have to approach it step by step. There aren’t many races left, but I’m still confident that we can have some good results.”
Unlike the past two years where Verstappen enjoyed dominant seasons, this year has been more competitive. Red Bull’s struggles with balance and development have opened the door for six different drivers to share the victories, while McLaren surged ahead, taking the lead in the constructors’ standings for the first time in a decade. This raises the possibility of Norris snatching the championship as well.
Despite the increasing competition, Verstappen remains unphased about the possibility of losing the title to Norris. He expressed trust in his skills and Red Bull’s capabilities, saying, “Once I’m in the car, I always aim to perform at my best.”
While Verstappen is determined to win, he remains realistic about the outcome: “Of course, I’d love to win the championship, but we have to be practical. We’ll give it everything we’ve got, and if we’re competitive enough, we’ll win. If not, then that’s just how it is. Life goes on—it’s not the end of the world if we don’t win.”