There is no driver on the F1 grid as blunt as Max Verstappen. While the other drivers are out there making excuses about their cars, he instead chooses to focus on his own driving ability, genuinely confident that he can overcome anyone and any hurdle.

Usually in Formula 1, when a driver has a dominant car, others can’t do much about it. In recent years, the benchmark has been Mercedes and its beneficiary driver, Lewis Hamilton. So, even if many believe that Max is on par or a better driver than him, he can’t get close to him because of the deficit in their respective machinery.

However, if that difference in car pace was lesser, Max is adamant that he can have a sniff at the world title. He doesn’t necessarily need his RB16B to be the dominant car on the grid, just near to Mercedes‘ W12.

It is because he believes that his car can be 0.2 seconds slower and he would still make up the difference to any driver on the grid to win. He told F1 insider how large the gap could be for him to surmount –

“Two tenths per lap. I’m confident that I can make up that difference together with the team. Beyond that, it’s going to be difficult.”

Max Verstappen not thinking of replacing or joining Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

Although Max’s Red Bull deal stretches beyond this season, he has a special clause in his contract that will allow him to leave Red Bull if they are not ‘competitive enough for him to challenge for the driver’s title’.

But they have seemingly turned the tide this season and are starting the season on the front foot. Judging by the pre-season testing results, they are the team to beat. So, the likes of Helmut Marko can rest a little easy in that regard.

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“If things continue as they did in the test, he need have no fear. You also have to remember that I’ve been with Red Bull for a long time now. I know the people there, I like them all,” said Verstappen.

F1 purists would love to see a more competitive season for the championship this time around. Verstappen taking the fight to Mercedes is all that we want to see in the upcoming season.

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