The previous two title came with ease for the Dutchman as Red Bull had a clear advantage at the start of the 2022 regulations, but rivals caught up to them over the 2024 winter while the RB20 threw up problems for the Milton Keynes squad that made things harder.
Verstappen’s consistency throughout the year effectively kept him in the championships hunt, with him only finishing outside the top six on one occasions during the Qatar GP Sprint race.
Red Bull would go on to win the race after overnight changes to their setup transformed their car.
One of the things that has chracterised last years title battle between Verstappen and Lando Norris has been their different apporoches to pressure.
Norris was learning how to cope with the increased pressure, while Verstappen could channel a lot of what he’d learned over his nine seasons in F1.
Norris himself admitted that Verstappen had the experience from battling Lewis Hamilton in 2021, which gave him an advantage.
Discussing how he deals with pressure in a new interview with F1.com, Verstappen revealed how he deals with the added pressure.
Verstappen is known for being a tough competitor on track, with his driving standards coming under scrutiny throughout the year.
George Russell unleashed a media frenzy in Abu Dhabi after his spat with the Dutchman in Qatar, in which he called him a “bully” for how he deals with fellow drivers on track.
Verstappen has revealed how he deals with the outside noise and external pressure that can come from the world of F1.
“I don’t talk to people about it. I like to solve issues by myself in my own head,” said Verstappen.
“It can be positive or negative depending on how you look at it – but it works for me. Throughout the year, there are always thoughts going through your head – I managed to solve them and I’m very proud of it.”
Verstappen ultimately ended the 2024 season 63 points clear of Norris, which was effectively the margin that the McLaren driver had to overcome when he won his first race in Miami at the start of the season.
A series of errors for Norris would set him on a collision course with failure this year, although McLaren were still able to salvage their first Constructors’ Championship since 1998.
Although it was a tough season, Verstappen has warned his rivals that he can ‘always be better’ as he knows his strengths and weaknesses.
Verstappen will start the 2025 season close to a one-race ban, which will mean he will need to be extra careful in the first eight races before the points are wiped clean.
