Max Verstappen Slammed as "Biggest Underachiever" in Scathing

Max Verstappen Slammed as “Biggest Underachiever” in Scathing 2024 F1 Review after……read more

Max Verstappen, the four-time Formula 1 champion, has faced harsh criticism after being labeled the “biggest underachiever” of the 2024 F1 season. This judgment comes after a year full of unexpected twists and challenges for the Dutch driver, despite his dominant form in previous seasons.

The 2024 F1 season was marked by a record-breaking calendar, with a total of 24 races, culminating in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last weekend. Verstappen, who had been the star of recent years, ended the season on a disappointing note, finishing in sixth place at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. This poor result, combined with a did-not-finish (DNF) by his struggling teammate, Sergio Perez, contributed to Red Bull’s third-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship, a far cry from their usual dominance. This marked the first time since 2017 that Red Bull had not secured the top position in the team standings.

The McLaren team, however, made a stunning comeback this season, claiming their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998. Lando Norris, McLaren’s standout driver, clinched victory in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, securing the team’s first championship title in over two decades. Verstappen and Norris’s fierce rivalry, which simmered throughout the season, included controversial penalties and an intense battle for the title, which stretched to the final stages of the year.

While Verstappen was able to maintain his lead over Norris, it was a season of struggle for the Dutchman. He endured an unusually long winless streak from June to November, going ten races without a victory—a period in which his rivals, particularly Norris, gained ground. This was seen as an uncharacteristic dip in form for a driver who had dominated in previous seasons.

New research by Betway has added fuel to the fire, with Verstappen being named as one of the biggest underachievers of the season. The study compared drivers’ actual points totals in the championship with pre-season forecasts, using predictive models that simulated the 2024 season based on a variety of factors, including previous performance and car quality. Verstappen was predicted to score 542 points by the end of the season, but he only managed 437, falling short by a significant 105 points. This marked the biggest discrepancy in the entire grid, overshadowing his previous years of dominance.

Verstappen’s underachievement is even more stark when compared to his seven-time world champion counterpart, Lewis Hamilton. The Briton, who had a difficult final season with Mercedes before his switch to Ferrari, was expected to score 298 points, but ended the season with only 223. Despite the setbacks faced by both drivers, Verstappen’s drop in performance was particularly shocking given his back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023 and the high expectations surrounding his 2024 campaign.

On the other hand, Lando Norris has been a standout performer, exceeding expectations and catching the attention of the entire paddock. Norris earned 172 more points than he was initially forecasted to, marking him as one of the season’s biggest overachievers. His impressive performance serves as a warning to Verstappen that the competition in 2025 could be tougher than ever, with Norris now regarded as a serious contender for the future.

Overall, while Verstappen’s 2024 season was still strong enough to keep him ahead in the points standings, his fall from grace compared to his high expectations has led to his controversial designation as the biggest underachiever of the year. With Norris and other rising stars looking to challenge him, Verstappen’s path to a fifth title may be more challenging in the seasons to come.