Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen brushed aside the suggestion that his Red Bull car was tailored to suit his driving style more than his teammates.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff had expressed his bewilderment over the significant gap in single-lap performance between Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez.
Verstappen, poised for his third world title, maintains a substantial 138-point lead over his nearest competitor, Perez, after 13 races.
Wolff remarked, “We’ve seen that Max has destroyed every single teammate that was with him,” attributing the gap to Verstappen’s ability to create a car that is challenging to control but exceptionally fast in optimal conditions. He questioned the 1.313-second gap in qualifying times.
Responding at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where Verstappen is pursuing a record 10th consecutive win, the driver dismissed the notion, saying, “I just drive the car the fastest way possible. I’m not there to tell the guys to give me more front end because that’s how I like it.” Verstappen emphasized his adaptability to different car characteristics to achieve speed.
Red Bull’s domination this season with 14 consecutive wins includes Perez’s two victories. Verstappen emphasized his focus on winning as much as possible without being preoccupied with records, acknowledging the challenges that arise each race weekend.
Verstappen’s approach underscores his determination to optimize performance while appreciating the enjoyable period he is experiencing driving the car.
However, he recognizes the multifaceted nature of each racing weekend, which presents continuous variables to be addressed.
