Max Verstappen has dismissed the suggestion that he feels under pressure during races, responding to Lewis Hamilton’s comments about the tone of his radio messages. Hamilton had previously remarked that it’s easy to see when Verstappen is under pressure based on the tone of his radio communications, particularly noting the use of the ‘F’ word in his messages.
Verstappen refuted this notion and asserted, “I never make any mistakes.” He appears to be maintaining confidence in his abilities and mental fortitude, expressing a firm belief in his capability to handle the pressure of racing without succumbing to errors.
It’s worth noting that competitive banter and mind games are not uncommon in Formula 1, and drivers often engage in psychological warfare, especially in tight championship battles. Verstappen’s response seems to be a part of the ongoing narrative between him and Hamilton as they compete for supremacy in the sport.
“[At Austin], I was just not happy with what was going on and I needed full focus just to concentrate on the braking to be consistent,” Verstappen explained.
“But, it’s good that they [other drivers] might think like that. But, for me, I’m never… Well, even if I am under pressure I’m not making mistakes anyway. So, it’s fine.”
Max Verstappen expressed his view that Lando Norris and McLaren were his strongest challengers during the Formula 1 season, rather than Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. Despite Hamilton securing third place in the Drivers’ Championship, Verstappen indicated that Norris, who drove for McLaren, posed a more significant challenge.
Verstappen’s perspective might be influenced by the overall competitiveness and performance of the McLaren team throughout the season. Lando Norris had an impressive campaign, consistently delivering strong performances and achieving several podium finishes. The competitive landscape in Formula 1 can vary based on factors such as car performance, team strategies, and individual driver performances, and Verstappen’s acknowledgment of Norris as a strong competitor reflects the dynamic nature of the sport.
“We were the only team that was really consistent,” he told the Talking Bull podcast. “Behind us was really up and down, it was one team second and then another team, so that’s where the battle was quite close.
“It will all depend on how much they improve in the winter time, but in terms of which one was the most impressive behind us from where they started to where they ended was definitely McLaren. So, it looks like they might be very strong next year.”
