Max Verstappen, the triple world champion and Red Bull’s star driver, recently sat down with Motorsport.com to reflect on a season where he and his team dominated Formula 1. 

Verstappen and Red Bull achieved an astonishing feat, winning 19 out of 22 races, showcasing their superiority in the sport. Amidst this remarkable success, Verstappen shared his personal highlights and the rare low points of the year.

The F1 driver singled out the races at Spa and Suzuka as his standout performances. At Spa, his skill was evident, but it was the Japanese Grand Prix that he found particularly memorable. From the very first lap, he felt an exceptional connection with the car, especially during the qualifying round, where the balance and handling of the car were “really nice to drive.”

Suzuka was notable for Verstappen’s immediate pace right from the start of free practice. He excelled particularly through the Esses in sector one, outperforming his competitors. His dominance was clear in the qualifying round, where he outpaced McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, his closest rivals that weekend, by significant margins. Follow your favourite F1 team with attractive F1 betting odds from Nextbet. 

In the race, Verstappen continued his exceptional performance, winning by a considerable distance from Norris and Piastri, with teams like Ferrari and Mercedes trailing by over 40 seconds.

Interestingly, Verstappen did not consider Singapore, the only race Red Bull failed to win, as his worst weekend. Although Red Bull struggled over the street circuit’s bumps and Verstappen finished fifth, he felt that the race in Singapore was more about a series of mishaps and misjudgments rather than a complete failure.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku was the season’s low point for Verstappen. Despite finishing second, Verstappen was not satisfied with his performance or the feel of the car. He found himself experimenting with various setup options during the race, which, while not yielding immediate success, provided valuable insights for future races. The experience in Baku was a critical learning curve, helping him to adapt and refine the car’s settings for the subsequent races.

Verstappen’s reflections on the season highlight not just the triumphs but also the continuous learning process involved in Formula 1. Even in a year marked by overwhelming success, there are races that stand out for their excellence and others that serve as important lessons. 

Verstappen’s ability to recognize and learn from these experiences underlines why he is a triple world champion and a formidable force in the sport. As he and Red Bull look forward to future races, these insights will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their ongoing quest for Formula 1 greatness. Get the latest updates from the world of F1 only on Nextbet Sports.