Red Bull driver Max Verstappen admits he is looking forward to more competitive competition and does not want to be careless in facing the rest of the 2024 season despite his status still at the top of the provisional standings.
“For sure (I’m really looking forward to the competition). This year started very competitively and now people can catch up,” said Verstappen, quoted from the official Formula 1 website, Wednesday (17/7).
“Every race is a very worthy and exciting battle, so it’s been a great season. I think this rivalry will continue for the rest of the season, and that’s good for the sport,” he continued.
The Dutch rider still leads the standings relatively comfortably thanks to his consistency.
Verstappen has won seven of the 12 rounds this season, while five of those have been won by a fairly varied mix of drivers and teams.
A total of four teams and six different drivers have won the six grands prix so far, with Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes all triumphing through Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
Also read: Max Verstappen Wins Pole Position in Austrian GP Sprint Race
After a relatively smooth ride to the title over the past two years, Verstappen says he is ready to embrace the added competition as he bids to claim a fourth consecutive world title.
“In general, it’s great to have so many fantastic drivers in F1 and it makes it difficult (for me) to win,” Verstappen said.
“I think everyone is looking forward to that as well and that’s what F1 fans want. It’s also great to have this among so many different teams. It’s going to be a great rest of the year,” added the 26-year-old.
Formula 1’s 13th series will roll at the Hungaroring Circuit, Budapest, Hungary, on July 19-21. (Ant/Z-1)
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