Max Verstappen’s race in Brazil was nothing short of phenomenal. Climbing from a P17 start to a stunning first-place finish, the Red Bull ace continues to demonstrate why he’s at the pinnacle of Formula 1. But beyond his impressive driving, what left F1 fans and former drivers, including Juan Pablo Montoya, puzzled was how easily his rivals yielded to him, especially during critical overtakes. This raises an intriguing question: Is the F1 grid scared of Max Verstappen?
Max Verstappen’s ‘Amazing’ Brazil Comeback
Verstappen‘s Brazilian Grand Prix was eventful from start to finish. Initially starting in 12th after a controversial red flag in Q2, the Dutchman’s frustration was compounded by a grid penalty for taking a sixth ICE, pushing him back to P17. However, Max’s determination remained unshaken. Working his way through the field, he reached second place just before a red flag following a crash by Franco Colapinto.
Upon the race’s restart, Verstappen was in a prime position, and with fresh intermediate tires, he swiftly claimed the lead from Esteban Ocon, who made little effort to defend. Verstappen then cruised to victory, finishing almost 20 seconds ahead. Yet, for Montoya, the ease with which Verstappen took the lead highlighted a broader issue: rivals appear unwilling to truly challenge him on track.
Are Rivals Racing Max Verstappen Differently?
Montoya compared Verstappen‘s domination to Michael Schumacher‘s era, where competitors often ceded positions rather than risk battling a formidable champion. Speaking with W Radio Colombia, Montoya observed, “It’s a bit like with Michael when he was coming from behind. People got out of the way… Nobody fights him. Ocon for the lead of the race got behind, and that was it. But if it’s someone else, they go for the kill.”
Ocon’s passive response to Verstappen’s move has stirred debate: Are drivers too intimidated by Verstappen’s skill and aggression to contest his overtakes? This trend appears consistent with Verstappen’s recent races, where he often faces minimal resistance while advancing through the grid.
Lando Norris: The Only Driver Who Challenges Verstappen?
One driver who consistently goes wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen is McLaren’s Lando Norris. This season, Norris has been one of the few to engage Verstappen in intense battles, as seen in Austria, Austin, and Mexico. Despite coming off second best in Austria after a puncture, Norris admitted it was a valuable learning experience.
“We’ve gone over things a few times. I’ve learned many things,” Norris said. “Max has a very different way of racing compared to a lot of others, and that’s some of the reasons why he’s a champion.”
In Austin and Mexico, Norris showed signs of evolving his approach to racing Verstappen, applying his experiences to more calculated challenges. But even Norris, who remains undeterred by Verstappen’s aggressive style, acknowledges that battling Max requires a unique mindset and racing strategy.
Is Max Verstappen’s Dominance Set to Continue?
As Max Verstappen heads to Las Vegas with the potential to secure another World Championship title, the question lingers: Can any driver genuinely challenge him? His current dominance, coupled with an aura of untouchability on track, suggests that he may continue to reign unchallenged unless competitors adopt more aggressive tactics.
In the end, Verstappen’s victories may not only highlight his own incredible talent but also underscore a shift in how his rivals perceive him—a champion whose skills command a unique level of respect and, perhaps, caution on the F1 grid.
