Dutchman’s fourth successive title “completely cements” his place among the many sport’s greats insists Crimson Bull boss.
On paper it should imply little, actually in ten or twenty years. Nevertheless, the very fact is that this was most likely Max Verstappen’s best season.
Sure, there have been a number of questionable strikes within the latter half of the yr, nonetheless contemplating what he was up in opposition to – a few resurgent groups, the dearth of a supporting teammate and a shadow hanging over his staff for a lot of the yr – the boy finished properly.
Among the many first to sing Verstappen’s praises as he put the 2024 title out of attain, was staff boss, Christian Horner.
“I believe this one is a really particular victory as a result of clearly there have been challenges this yr,” mentioned the Briton in a masterpiece of understatement. “However I believe that Max scored greater than double the quantity of race wins than every other driver.
“He is received it with two races to go,” he mentioned of the title. “He is been head and shoulders the most effective driver on the grid in System 1, and I believe what he is actually finished this yr is completely cement his place amongst the greats within the sport. And I believe that each statistically and on the best way that he is pushed, that is unquestionable.
“I believe this was, along with 2021, the hardest,” the Briton continued, referring to the arduous fought battle with Lewis Hamilton for that first title. “This one, we began the season very strongly. However by Miami, it was clear that McLaren had made a major step.
“By the summer season months, once we had been struggling a bit with the automotive, he was nonetheless second at Silverstone, second at Zandvoort. He was nonetheless choosing up podiums and outcomes and behind the scenes, was placing a large quantity of effort in, with the engineers and designers and on the simulator, greater than any of the earlier years.
“I believe he is been excellent this yr. Not solely what he is finished within the cockpit, and I believe he is impressed inside the cockpit, however out of the cockpit as properly. The best way he is performed himself, the best way he is labored with the engineers, and all of the technical workers, has been phenomenal.”
“It has been an extended season,” mentioned the Dutchman. “In fact we began off wonderful, it was virtually like cruising, however then we had a troublesome run. However as a staff, we saved it collectively, we saved engaged on enhancements and we pulled off the win.
“I am extremely happy with everybody, what they’ve finished for me, so in the intervening time I am simply feeling very relieved, in a method, but in addition proud.”
Requested, trying again to when he entered the game, if he ever envisaged 4 titles, he mentioned: “Undoubtedly not! I used to be simply pleased to be there and dreaming of potential victories or standing on the rostrum, you understand, the traditional issues which might be already very tough to realize.
“Then we simply bought onto that run after after all a troublesome few years, so we saved attempting after which we simply hit the bottom operating with the brand new idea and like I mentioned, to be standing right here a four-time world champion is simply unbelievable.”
Having cruised to the 2023 title, requested how this season in contrast, he mentioned: “For certain it was a really difficult season. I believe additionally as an individual, at occasions it’s extremely difficult. I needed to be calm.
“I believe in a method, after all, I nonetheless choose final season,” he admitted, “I loved it loads, however I believe this season, undoubtedly once more taught me a number of classes.
“I am very happy with how we dealt with it additionally as a staff. So in a method after all that makes it additionally very, very particular, and an attractive season.”
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