Max Verstappen started the 2021 season with a bang. With two of the five races so far, he is currently the championship leader. However, this isn’t the Max who made his F1 debut at 17. This version of the Dutchman is much more relaxed, according to Max himself.
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We know Verstappen as having a special talent at the wheel, but seeing him lead in races is a fairly new development. While other drivers and experts have always questioned his driving style, this season he certainly proves they are wrong. He was once the hot-headed young driver nicknamed “Mad Max” but he seems to be a lot quieter this year.
Formula 1 F1 – Monaco Grand Prix – Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco – May 23, 2021, Red Bulls Max Verstappen celebrates winning the Pool race over REUTERS / Gonzalo Fuentes TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Watch Story: Mad Max: Verstappen’s Angriest Rants on F1 Team Radio
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Max Verstappen now thinks he is more relaxed
Max has always been a willing competitor and many have admired his straightforward driving style. According to Marca, “Mad Max” confessed: “From 17 to 23 things change. That is completely normal. I used to scream. Now, however, I am more relaxed.”
He was a frustrated figure in 2016-2018 as his Red Bull would succumb to reliability issues or the car would crash into the walls. But this season he knows he has the car to challenge Lewis Hamilton for the title.
Formula 1 F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit – Portimao, Portugal – May 2, 2021, Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes shakes Max Verstappen of Red Bull after winning the Pool race via REUTERS / Gabriel Bouys. the hand
Will Max’s new approach help him in his title fight with Lewis?
For most of the past decade, Mercedes, and Lewis Hamilton in particular, have dominated F1 and no other team has come anywhere near beating them. However, things are different this season. This time, Red Bull is facing a tough challenge and has even taken the lead in both championships after the Monaco GP.
As for Lewis, Max is the only real challenger for him in this season’s title fight. He rode it wheel-to-wheel and propelled it through both qualifying and race days.
Commenting on his relationship with Lewis, Max said, “My relationship with Hamilton is right. Well, it’s perfectly normal. We had great fights on the track and we hope it stays that way all year round. ”
The Dutchman knows he has a lot of fights ahead of him on the track, but he also knows he has the car to prevail this year.
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“In other years we were too slow in the first part of the season and we accelerated towards the end. This year our start to the year was much better and more competitive with the overall package. We have a good chance, ”he said.
If the battles on the track continue and Max keeps a cool head, this season and the title fight will go down in history as one of the best in F1. Who do you think will come out on top?
Let us know in the comments!
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