Max Verstappen has argued that an entertaining Formula 1 season in 2024 is not solely dependent on Red Bull, citing how it’s also up to the competition to catch up to his team.
Red Bull has dominated the sport since the return to ground effect cars in 2022, with the reigning World Champions winning all but one of the 22 rounds to take place last term.
Verstappen was responsible for achieving 19 of those victories – including a record 10 in a row between Miami and Monza – as he scooped a third consecutive championship.
However, the Dutchman insists that replicating those achievements is not Red Bull’s target as bids to defend the titles it retained with ease in the previous campaign.
“Well, I mean, these kinds of things are very tough, I think to top,” Verstappen told select media including Motorsport Week, referring to Red Bull’s groundbreaking success.
“I think it’s also not our goal, I think it’s just about trying to deliver another very competitive car.
“And from my side, of course, I’ll try to deliver the best I can. But that depends on a lot of things that have to come together, right? So I guess only time will tell how quick we are.”
Verstappen also pointed out that the inroads rivals have been able to make into Red Bull’s advantage from the past season will decide how intense the battle at the front will be.
“And, of course, also around us people are learning more and more. It’s not always that it’s up to us how great the season is going to be,” he continued. “Because if you have more natural competition with different teams, it’s even harder to win races.”
Pressed on whether he would be open to more competition this season, Verstappen answered: “Yes and no, I mean, I like to win races of course, like we have done last year, but I think for the sport as a whole of course you want more teams at the front.
“We’ve had some decent races, but yeah, I think naturally if you keep the regulations the same for a while, then everyone gets a bit closer.”
With stable regulations in order, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner predicted that multiple cars this season will closely resemble the title-winning RB19 machine.
Verstappen concurred with Horner’s previous comments regarding the grid converging on similar designs, but he also expects several sides have not displayed their full potential.
McLaren, who ended 2023 as Red Bull’s most consistent contender, appeared to cast shadows over elements of the floor on the image renders of its new MCL38 challenger.
“It’s hard to tell of course in terms of how competitive that everyone is going to be,” Verstappen addressed concerning the car launches of other teams prior to testing.
“I think you do see a bit of a trend between teams, how everything is designed a bit more, but also a few little interesting bits, front wing-related stuff.
“But again people that launch the car, they’re not showing everything, so we have to wait and see until you are in Bahrain to really see the proper car.”
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