Max Verstappen relishing ‘proper battle’ of 2024 F1 season

The 2023 Formula 1 season was largely a coronation for Max Verstappen and Red Bull. By the season’s midway point, the Red Bull driver enjoyed a commanding 110-point lead over teammate Sergio Pérez in the F1 Drivers’ Championship and ended up winning the title dominantly, by 290 points over his teammate. Things were similar on the Constructors’ side, as Red Bull held a 229-point lead over Mercedes following the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Things are much different this year.

As the second half of the F1 season begins, Red Bull has just a 71-point lead over Ferrari, with McLaren only seven points behind the Scuderia. While Verstappen has a lead on the Drivers’ side, his lead over Lando Norris is 84 points. That makes him the favorite over the final 12 race weekends of the year, but by no means is either title decided yet.

This is a challenge that Verstappen is relishing.

Speaking at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend Verstappen talked about how the field has tightened up, and how the fact that everything is “unknown” is great for the sport.

“We had some great years. Of course, this year also started off really competitively, and now everyone’s catching up a bit. Every race is a proper battle as well, so it’s great,” said Verstappen at Goodwood. “I think that will continue also for the rest of the season, so it’s really unknown what is going to happen, and that’s great for the sport.”

Verstappen’s comments mirror what Oscar Piastri told SB Nation recently. Speaking with me after his second place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix, the McLaren driver outlined how neither title was “done and dusted” just yet.

“The Constructors’ [Championship] I would say is still open. We’re still a third of the way through the year. So it’s definitely still all to play for. I would say, of course, we’re at a bit of a disadvantage being as far back as we are, but it’s certainly not impossible. And yeah, I think even in the Drivers’ Championship, it’s not done and dusted yet. If you were to say anyone apart from Max [Verstappen] being the favorite, it’s probably ambitious,” said Piastri.

“But I don’t think either championship is over by any means.”

In Verstappen’s mind, the increased competition is tremendous for F1.

“I mean, in general, it’s just great to have so many fantastic drivers in F1 and making it difficult to win,” added Verstappen. “I think everyone was waiting for that as well and that’s definitely what F1 fans want. To have this is great between so many different teams as well.

“It’s going to be a great rest of the year.”

By and large, F1 fans agree.