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Max Verstappen given ‘danger zone’ warning as ‘tricky situation’ emerges
As the Formula 1 2024 season heads into its final six races, Max Verstappen finds himself in a precarious position, leading the Drivers’ Championship by 52 points over Lando Norris. While this advantage might seem substantial, the reality is complicated by the recent surge in performance from McLaren, which has shown significantly better pace than Verstappen’s Red Bull in the last few races.
Jenson Button, the 2009 F1 World Champion, shared his thoughts on this intense championship battle during a recent appearance on the Sky F1 podcast. He drew parallels between Verstappen’s current scenario and his own title victory in 2009. That year, Button started off strong with Brawn GP, but as the season progressed, the team’s performance waned, creating mounting pressure as Sebastian Vettel closed in on him. Button ultimately managed to secure the championship, but the experience was far more nerve-wracking than his early-season dominance suggested.
The current situation for Verstappen echoes that tension. Despite leading the championship comfortably at one point, he hasn’t won a race since the Spanish Grand Prix in June, leading to concerns about whether he can maintain his lead against a rapidly improving McLaren team. Button remarked on how challenging it is to be in Verstappen’s shoes, where the car’s performance has dipped compared to earlier in the season while another driver is aggressively pursuing the championship.
Button acknowledged Verstappen’s resilience, noting that he typically handles pressure well. However, he highlighted the mental toll that comes from feeling the weight of the championship. According to Button, Verstappen seems to have mentally prepared for the possibility of not winning again this season, focusing instead on accumulating points. This mindset can add to the pressure, making it harder to achieve even podium finishes.
Button also pointed out that it’s not just Norris who poses a threat; McLaren’s Oscar Piastri has also been delivering impressive results, and other teams like Mercedes and Ferrari are consistently in contention. If these teams perform optimally, they could easily capitalize on any weaknesses in the Red Bull, leading to a significant loss of points in a single race. This scenario makes the championship fight increasingly uncertain, despite Verstappen holding a seemingly favorable position.
With the closing races approaching, the dynamics between Verstappen and Norris are stark. Norris, in particular, needs to take risks to close the gap and has the momentum of his team’s performance behind him. When asked which car he would prefer to drive at this juncture of the championship, Button’s response was unequivocal: he would choose the McLaren without hesitation.
This season has brought an
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