Max Verstappen has highlighted his victory in a mixed conditions Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort as the race where he felt most “pressured” across the 2023 Formula 1 season.
Verstappen recorded the greatest campaign in F1 history, amassing a record-breaking 19 wins – including 10 in a row – to secure a third Drivers’ title with five rounds to spare.
While the Dutchman had to climb from down the order to prevail at Spa-Francorchamps, Verstappen labelled his third straight home triumph as his greatest challenge of the year.
When asked which race victory was the toughest to achieve this season in 2023, Verstappen answered earlier this year: “It has a lot to do with track conditions or whatever.
“For example, the race in Zandvoort, when you’re driving on slicks and it’s raining.
“I normally enjoy driving in the wet, but I also know that I’m leading the championship and if I go off and I’m stuck you lose a lot of points.”
The race at Zandvoort, the first following the annual summer break, saw the drivers navigate an early downpour on slick tyres before the rain eased midway through.
However, a late deluge caused chaos that saw Guanyu Zhou crash at Turn 1 and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez skate wide before the stewards elected to suspend the race.
Although he controlled the restart to extend his sizeable championship lead, Verstappen admits that he was cautious of underdriving too much in the treacherous conditions.
“Naturally, you’re always driving a little bit under the limit, but that can be, in a way, dangerous as well,” Verstappen added.
“So when I was out there on slicks, you feel a bit pressured. Sometimes there are people behind you that are a bit faster, because they have nothing to lose.
“It’s a very different mindset as well that you’re in when you are fighting for a championship.”
Regarding his most enjoyable victory, Verstappen highlighted his charge from ninth in Miami, which commenced the run that beat the consecutive F1 wins benchmark.
Verstappen also picked out his lights-to-flag success in Suzuka as Red Bull secured the Constructors’ title, one race after having its flawless streak ended abruptly in Singapore.
“I think my win in Miami I really enjoyed,” the 26-year-old added.
“Spa, Zandvoort, but also Suzuka, like, winning the Constructors’ for example with the team there was fantastic. It’s difficult to really pick one to be honest.”
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