Max Verstappen is aware that the 2024 season, in which his dominance turned into difficulties against three different teams, has been very complicated for all Red Bull Racing employees, and he is aware of the pressure.
“What I know is that the team is not giving up. There are a lot of very good people and I really enjoy working with them. I know it was difficult for them too. You know, it There was a lot of pressure on them this year.” Verstappen said.
“And when you come out of a season like last year, where we broke all the records, and at some point you start to struggle with the car and you don't really seem to understand what's going on. happens or goes wrong, it is important to stay calm and try to solve the problem.”
“Each member of the team has their own emotions that need to be managed. In a way, it's also people management, because everyone reacts differently to good or bad results.”
“But it's also something I enjoy, because everyone has their own character, but we all have to work together to achieve the same goal. I'm very proud of the way everyone pulled together in these very difficult races where we were a little lost.”
“At the factory we did a lot of analysis. In response to that, I think when we went to Austin, having really understood our problems at, say, Monza, we already saw an improvement in performance and lots of ideas for next year.”
“There are things we couldn't change anymore this year, so that's something for next year, and I just hope it makes the car easier to drive, in general, of course, more competitive .”
“But I also know, of course, that the others don't stay idle, so next year will be, I think, a big battle. But as I said before, even when you are not the fastest , if you continue to maximize these results, many things are possible.”
Asked about the best moments of his season, Verstappen admits that they date from the first races: “Most of the best moments came early in the season, when we were still competitive and winning races. At first it felt like we were repeating what happened last year.”
“And then the lows, I would say, I mean, the tough times were definitely the middle ones where we were struggling for pace, where we weren't even on the podiums. But we always maximized our results. To a certain extent way, we stuck together.”
“To be honest with you, when I look back at this season in 20 years, when I'm retired, Las Vegas 2024, as a race, won't be in my top 10. But it's very special to win here. And when I look back on the season we had, I would say there was a lot to do.”
“I would say there were quite a few failures, but in a way they also taught me a lot about myself, about the team, about how we stayed together. And that “That's also what I'm very proud of, the way we handled it all and came out on top.”
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