The following weekend, with the US Grand Prix, we've reached the final stretch of the 2024 racing season, where Red Bull Racing currently appears to be the favorite…
But all it takes is one bad race or an unexpected technical failure, and this situation could easily change, even in McLaren's favor. Max Verstappen knows this well, who, in addition to traditional tools, also tries to find an advantage over his opponent with the good old psychological practice of pressure:
"I think Oscar is a much better driver than he should be taking on the supporting role. He shouldn't have accepted this, although it's also true that I've never been in such a situation myself. But for me, he's not a second driver at any level, and if I were in his shoes, I would never have agreed to all this. Of course, I know it's easy talk. I've been here for ten years, and Oscar Piastri is only in his second season in F1. But he's simply too good to give up wins and positions for his teammate and his team, just because they ask him to. It's not fair to him!" Verstappen skillfully hinted, touching on emotional chords.