In the words of one of tennis’ all-time greats Rod Laver, “The time your game is most vulnerable is when you’re ahead. Never let up.” The thing is, this doesn’t just apply to tennis. It applies to every sport out there, and Max Verstappen is currently at the top of his game in Formula 1, which puts him at his most vulnerable. Even though he has a 125-point lead in the championship, the season is far from over, and the last thing the reigning champion would want is to relinquish his position. The question is, what does he have to do to ensure he doesn’t get hit when he’s vulnerable?

2016 champion Nico Rosberg has taken a page out of Toto Wolff’s guide to winning a championship—a page the Mercedes team principal fed Lewis Hamilton the year after Rosberg edged him out in the championship—and believes Verstappen needs to live by it.

Max Verstappen absolutely cannot lose motivation

Following Nico Rosberg’s shock retirement after winning the 2016 championship, Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari were Hamilton’s primary competition for the title. With a slim 3-point lead over Vettel going into the 2017 Singapore GP, the Brit came out 28 points ahead at a track he expected Vettel to dominate. As per The Guardian, after the race, Wolff said, “I would expect him to not let up. You cannot let up. There are six more races to go. We must not drop the ball.”

Considering we’re only 12 races into the 2023 season, and Verstappen already has a monster lead in the championship, everyone believes he’s on his way to a third consecutive title. The last thing Verstappen should do right now is to believe he’s already won it. As quoted by motorsport.nextgen-auto.com, Rosberg advised, “He usually has to be careful not to get complacent. He’s on such an incredible streak that nobody can touch him, and that’s usually when there’s a risk of getting complacent, and you lose a little motivation.” [Translated by Google]

The German continued, “So he just has to be a little bit careful about that. I say that, but I don’t see it happening. Because his state of mind is phenomenal, and he’s so focused, and, therefore in the right zone all the time. It’s like art. It’s amazing.”

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It’s true that once Verstappen has his helmet on, he only thinks about performing, not that he’s on the cusp of winning the championship. The RB19 is undoubtedly the fastest car on the grid this season, and Verstappen’s title is almost inevitable. But could it be that he’s deriving more from the car than possible?

Max Verstappen is making the RB19 seem better than it is

Red Bull has won every race so far this season. That’s testament enough that the RB19 is the fastest car on the grid. The thing is, though, Sergio Perez has the same car as Verstappen, and the Mexican is a great driver, but Verstappen still finishes races more than 20 seconds ahead of his teammate. Something doesn’t add up, right? If they’re in the same car, why is the points gap so significant? 

According to former F1 driver Marc Surer, it’s more about Verstappen than the car. Surer said, “Yes, he’s in the best car. But the best car isn’t as superior as Max makes it seem.” His self-confidence has given him the edge over everyone on the grid. Showing no signs of slowing down, Verstappen is on the verge of equalling Vettel’s 2013 record of winning nine races in a row. Considering he can achieve that feat at the Dutch GP, his home race, he would sure hope the RB19 continues performing as it has been. 

Which race do you think Max Verstappen will seal his third Drivers’ Championship?

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