Two-time world champion Max Verstappen seemed unfazed by the suggestion that he is the favorite for a third consecutive Formula One championship, which he shrugged off, saying on Friday that the ‘Great Circus’ requires of a closer battle than last year, although he intends to be better than before.
“I never really think about being the favorite because you have to keep working, you have to keep improving or else they will catch up and pass you,” said Verstappen about his status as a favorite.
Verstappen won 15 of 22 races in a 2022 season that was his team’s best to date, with fellow Mexican Sergio Pérez adding two more to his tally of wins. Rival and runner-up Ferrari have won just four races – three with Leclerc and one with Sainz – and the once-dominant third overall Mercedes just once, with Russell.
“As a driver, you always try to look at yourself, what you can do better, and try to come back stronger every year, even if it’s a difficult task sometimes,” he told reporters after the unveiling of the team’s livery in New York .
Asked about his desire to see Mercedes return to contention, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton failing to win a race in a season for the first time in his career, Verstappen replied: “I think in the interest of the sport you always want teams to be Super close. But I think he was pretty close last year.”
“I think as a team we did a lot better than the other teams and that’s why I think the points difference is also huge. weekend. But in this sport everyone wants to fight for in the title with several teams involved”.
“I never really think about being the favorite because you have to keep working, you have to keep improving or else they will catch up and pass you,” said Verstappen.
Ferrari changed team principals, with Mattia Binotto replaced by Fred Vasseur, while Mercedes lost strategy director James Vowles to Williams as the new director.
“About people leaving other teams, I don’t know. It’s hard to say from the outside if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, will it disrupt their work? If new people come, it always takes a little time to settle… but I think you still have a lot of performance right away”, issue fixed.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
