Max Verstappen admitted that Red Bull is now operating without margin for errors in their pursuit of the 2024 world championship. The Dutch driver acknowledged that Red Bull’s advantage over their competitors has diminished as they could previously make some mistakes and still have a chance of victory. However, the situation has changed and Verstappen emphasized that the team can no longer afford to make even the smallest errors.
During a press interview, Verstappen was asked if the challenging circumstances of this season have made the competition more exciting for him. He responded by stating that it has indeed become more challenging compared to the beginning of the season. Other teams have made significant improvements and narrowed the gap to Red Bull, making it imperative to avoid any mistakes at this stage.
Despite facing these difficulties, Verstappen highlighted the excitement of the races and emphasized that even with minor errors, he still managed to come out victorious. However, he stressed the importance of remaining vigilant and not allowing any errors, no matter how small, to occur in the future. The intense competition means that every small detail is crucial for Red Bull.
Verstappen also discussed the importance of accumulating a substantial number of points to prevent other teams from catching up. He acknowledged that the competition will become even tougher in the future. Additionally, Verstappen took into consideration his teammate’s performance and their impact on the title fight.
The Dutch pilot explained that as long as Red Bull continues to win and earn 25 points for each victory, they will not lose much ground in the standings, even if other teams finish in second or third place. This means that they can afford an occasional setback, like Checo’s DNF in Canada, without significantly affecting their overall position. Red Bull’s main goal is to maintain their winning streak.
In conclusion, Verstappen emphasized that Red Bull is currently in a critical phase where they cannot afford to make any mistakes, no matter how small, unless one of their drivers secures a victory. Red Bull fans would love to see both drivers securing first and second place in races, as they did at the beginning of the season. This would not only earn valuable points for the team but also widen the gap between them and the team in second place.