F1 2024: Will Stiffer Rivalry Make Title Sweeter?

Jos Verstappen finds joy in Max’s battles for F1 victory. Will increased competition in 2024 enhance the championship’s allure?

Almost three years later, the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remains etched in memory, and the controversy surrounding it is as vivid as ever.

The climax of the race remains highly contentious; the FIA allowed Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to overtake backmarkers, but not the other F1 cars behind the Safety Car. Subsequently, the FIA admitted to a human error by Michael Masi, the race director—an error that handed the title to Max Verstappen.

However, for Max’s father, Jos Verstappen, the controversy feels distant. For him, the race was primarily “fantastic!”

Did he nearly have a heart attack on the last lap?

“Almost, in a way! Ultimately, I can imagine how Mercedes felt, but it has nothing to do with us… we didn’t make those decisions.”

“For Formula 1 fans and, of course, as Max’s father, it couldn’t have been better. It was so thrilling right up to the last moment. Naturally, for us, the outcome was wonderful. I imagine for Lewis and Toto, it wasn’t as pleasant. But that’s how it is, you know, you have to accept it.”

The 2021 season, the finest in recent years, was fiercely and mercilessly contested between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Since then, it feels like that year has significantly matured Max Verstappen. Can Jos confirm?

“It’s not so much that he’s more confident.”

“I think now, we have a more competitive car. That makes the difference. In 2021, during the last two races, Mercedes was ahead of us. That’s the whole difference.”

The 2023 season remains the one where Max Verstappen dominated all competition, setting a new record for the most wins in a year. But is there a particular Grand Prix that stands out in Jos’s memory?

“Well, I don’t think we can pinpoint a single race or anything like that.”

“For me, the fact that he is at a high level at every race… that’s very important and enjoyable for me to see.”

“Furthermore, after a race, Max can truly disconnect. He can really focus on other things, and sometimes I want to discuss something with him and he says: Please, no Formula 1. He just wants to relax at home and not talk about it.”

Jos, who dedicated all his time to training Max Verstappen, touring Europe with him in a caravan to attend karting events, must feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment today.

“I dreamed of it, of course, but to see what he’s doing now, his level, it’s very impressive.”

“I knew he was good from the start, but he has surpassed that.”

More competition for a finer title in 2024?

However, the competition has tightened since Miami: Red Bull no longer enjoys the domination it had in 2023. But it’s Max Verstappen who can continue to make the difference, according to his father. And Jos would almost prefer more competition for his son.

“The cars are closer in terms of performance these days. When you look at Senna’s McLaren, which won 15 out of 16 races, I think it was a second faster than anyone else at the time.”

“Now, in 2024, of course, we are fast, but Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes are there too. To achieve what Max does, at this level—because it’s all about the details to get there—I mean he has to be focused every time.”

“He has confidence in the team and what it produces.”

“I like there to be more competition. Of course, we want to win the races, but I also like that he fights and either pulls off a victory or perhaps not. I think everyone wants to see that.”

“I’m a fan of this sport, a fan of Formula 1. Of course, it’s great to win 18 or 19 races in a season. But winning the championship as he did in 2021, I enjoyed that afterwards, so… why not the same thing?”