With Things Changing in F1 Scene, Max Verstappen Admits to Being Nervous

With Things Changing in F1 Scene, Max Verstappen Admits to Being Nervous

Max Verstappen endured one of his most difficult races in recent times, two weeks ago in Miami. With McLaren’s upgrades making them faster-paced and Ferrari too on the ascendency, Verstappen is now wary of Red Bull losing its grasp on the ‘dominant’ tag that has been next to its name for so long. Ahead of the Emilia-Romagna GP weekend, Verstappen talks about being nervous about this change.

He is used to winning races with ease by now, but Norris comprehensively outperforming him in Miami shook him up. When asked if he is nervous about a Red Bull downfall, the 26-year-old replied (as quoted by F1 Maximaal), “Very nervous, I can’t sleep.”

Verstappen then joked about the extent to which he is worried but then admitted that he is indeed concerned. He revealed that they weren’t in control of the car’s balance throughout the Miami GP weekend, which is unfamiliar territory for them.

On the other hand, he has a justification about why Red Bull struggled more than they should have. Verstappen revealed that damage to his car affected his overall running tenfold, which is primarily why Lando Norris (race winner) was able to finish 7.6 seconds ahead of him.

Talking about the upcoming weekend, Verstappen seems confident about having a better performance.

Max Verstappen banking on Red Bull’s upgrades

Verstappen and Red Bull will be looking to avoid more nervous slip-ups heading into the double-header, starting with Imola. Red Bull are bringing upgrades to the track, with the RB20’s performance expected to improve. Already a strong car, the RB20 getting even faster will be music to Verstappen’s ears.

“We also come with upgrades. Then we will see it automatically,” says the Dutch driver.  “I know if I get in the car, I try to get the best out of it.” 

Despite the recent setback, Verstappen remains the favorite to win the race in Imola. However, McLaren’s upgrades, which worked wonders in Miami (a track it wasn’t suited to), will give Norris and Oscar Piastri a fair shot at getting the better of Verstappen once again.

Post Edited By: Vidit Dhawan
Max Verstappen Red Bull

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Somin Bhattacharjee

Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

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