Max Verstappen has been so dominant in the 2023 season that many fans have begun considering F1 as boring. As more and more supporters begin to have such thoughts, the Dutchman has taken it upon himself to put up a show. In his recent interview, he revealed a four-worded mantra that Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz passed on to him.
The mantra read, “No risk, no fun“. And that is exactly what Verstappen showcased at the Austrian Grand Prix a week ago. Despite the risk involved, the 25-year-old chose to pit on the penultimate lap to go for the fastest lap of the race and grab the extra point.
What a way to finish a perfect weekend @redbullracing 🏆
An absolutely amazing job by everyone in the team 💪
A big thank you goes out to everyone for joining us on the Red Bull Ring! Your support is seriously unmatched 👏🦁#AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/OtDDffn6WB
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) July 2, 2023
It is pertinent to note that he did so despite the Red Bull team having informed him about the risk. However, it did not surprise anybody that he grabbed the fastest lap on the final lap of the race.
With Verstappen having grabbed that extra point, he once again scored the maximum of 26 points for himself and the team during a normal Grand Prix weekend. However, going forward, the Red Bull team may need to be more cautious if Verstappen continues to insist on making such risky calls.
Max Verstappen keen on continuing his domination in F1
In the build-up to the British Grand Prix this weekend, Max Verstappen gave an interview to Channel 4. The interviewer asked the Dutchman his rationale to pit on the penultimate lap of the Austrian Grand Prix and stated that he believes that Verstappen was just “spicing things up“.
In reply, Verstappen stated, “I was trying to go for the fastest lap anyways even if it was on the old tires. But then the team also understood that it was a safer bet probably to try and go for the fastest lap on the fresher tires and not on the old ones. And sometimes no risk, no fun“.
Prior to making this point, Verstappen explained in the interview how he is more motivated than ever to continue his domination. When the interviewer asked him if he is worried that he will get bored because of his recent domination, the double-world champion replied that it is the opposite for him.
The Red Bull driver explained that he is still keen on extending his lead in this year’s championship and registering some more wins before the season ends. And along with continuing to be relentless, it seems that the Dutchman is not afraid to have some fun on the race track either by making some risky calls during the race.
Verstappen gives a perfect reply to those questioning his dominance
When told in the interview that frustration is rising in some F1 fans to see his dominance, Max Verstappen replied that this has always been the nature of the sport. The Dutchman believes it is very rare in F1 that multiple teams dominate.
Nothing… just an inchident 😅#BritishGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/wjfEPFxr88
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 9, 2023
However, he did add that the racing in F1 in 2023 is still a lot closer to what it was two decades ago. The Red Bull driver believes that with F1 changing the rules once again from the 2026 season onwards, there is a possibility that the gap between the teams reduces even further.
As Verstappen continues to dominate this season, the question still remains if anyone can stop him. Even though the action has seemed a lot closer at this weekend’s British Grand Prix so far, the 25-year-old yet managed to put his car on the pole to get the best starting position for the main race.
