Max Verstappen is convinced he could have been F1 World Champion in 2024 behind the wheel of a McLaren. He also believes he would have been behind the wheel of the Mercedes in 2021.
The Red Bull driver wants to put an end to rumors making him a quadruple F1 world champion, thanks only to his car.
“Such things only motivate me”, Verstappen told De Telegraaf. “If people are critical and think I can only win in the best car, I will prove them wrong.”
Max Verstappen won his first title on the final lap of the last Grand Prix of the 2021 season. Throughout the season, he was neck and neck with Lewis Hamilton, sometimes a little too much, going as far as contact. In 2024, when the season got off to a flying start, Red Bull and Max Verstappen saw the McLarens and Ferraris return like cannonballs. As proof, McLaren is today at the top of the constructors' ranking, ahead of Ferrari and Red Bull.
“If I don't get credit for this now, I don't know what else I can do. Would I have been champion with the McLaren? Yes ! And much earlier. In 2021, with another car, I would have also won the title.”
Read also: Horner: Verstappen is more invested than ever in the turmoil in 2024
In 2022 and 2023, it is clear that there was no real competition, Ferrari and Mercedes being too far from Red Bull's performance.
“In 2022 it would have been more difficult, because Ferrari was perhaps a little too fragile at that time. And last year? Well, that would have been a little trickier”, concluded the very young four-time Formula 1 World Champion.
If we stay on the basis of 2024, next season could be one of the most competitive in F1 history. Indeed, this year, no less than seven drivers have won at least two Grands Prix, a record in the discipline.
Also read: Norris: “When Verstappen doesn't have the best car, he's always there”
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