Max Verstappen has kicked off the 2024 F1 season in an impressive manner. The first Grand Prix has concluded, showcasing the Red Bull team’s dominance. Verstappen led the race from start to finish, securing a victory.
During the press day, drivers engage in numerous interviews. In one of these interviews, the reigning world champion was asked about his top three contenders for the championship. Verstappen confidently named himself, Lewis Hamilton, and Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton and Leclerc, who are future teammates, being podium finishers for Ferrari would be a dream scenario. However, Verstappen did not mention his teammate from last season, Sergio Perez, nor his close friend and rival, Lando Norris.
A clip of Verstappen sharing his 2024 season predictions has gone viral, leading to various speculations. People wonder why he didn’t mention his competitors’ names and if he underestimates their abilities. However, it’s important to remember that these are just predictions, and there are still 23 races to determine the outcome of the season.
Amidst the excitement surrounding the 2024 season, there was controversy involving a female coworker accusing the Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, of inappropriate behavior. Although Horner was cleared of the allegations before the Bahrain GP, leaked messages added fuel to the controversy.
Red Bull, the most dominant team in the past two seasons, may face consequences due to this controversy. Verstappen set a new record by winning the Bahrain GP with a time of 1:31:44 seconds. Hamilton followed behind by 25.110 seconds, and Perez trailed by 22.457 seconds. The current world champion carried the weight of the controversy on his shoulders.
Verstappen began this season similarly to the last one, aiming to surpass his previous year’s achievements. His performance in both qualifying and the race was crucial. As a consistent winner for the Red Bull team over the past three seasons, Verstappen showcased admirable skills.