Is the F1 Grid Scared of Max Verstappen? Why ‘Nobody Fights Him’ on Track

Is the F1 Grid Scared of Max Verstappen? Why ‘Nobody Fights Him’ on Track

Max Verstappen’s race in Brazil was nothing short of phenomenal. Climbing from a P17 start to a stunning first-place finish, the Red Bull ace continues to demonstrate why he’s at the pinnacle of Formula 1. But beyond his impressive driving, what left F1 fans and former drivers, including Juan Pablo Montoya, puzzled was how easily his rivals yielded to him, especially during critical overtakes. This raises an intriguing question: Is the F1 grid scared of Max Verstappen?

Max Verstappen’s ‘Amazing’ Brazil Comeback

Verstappen‘s Brazilian Grand Prix was eventful from start to finish. Initially starting in 12th after a controversial red flag in Q2, the Dutchman’s frustration was compounded by a grid penalty for taking a sixth ICE, pushing him back to P17. However, Max’s determination remained unshaken. Working his way through the field, he reached second place just before a red flag following a crash by Franco Colapinto.

Upon the race’s restart, Verstappen was in a prime position, and with fresh intermediate tires, he swiftly claimed the lead from Esteban Ocon, who made little effort to defend. Verstappen then cruised to victory, finishing almost 20 seconds ahead. Yet, for Montoya, the ease with which Verstappen took the lead highlighted a broader issue: rivals appear unwilling to truly challenge him on track.

Is the F1 Grid Scared of Max Verstappen? Why ‘Nobody Fights Him’ on Track

Are Rivals Racing Max Verstappen Differently?

Montoya compared Verstappen‘s domination to Michael Schumacher‘s era, where competitors often ceded positions rather than risk battling a formidable champion. Speaking with W Radio Colombia, Montoya observed, “It’s a bit like with Michael when he was coming from behind. People got out of the wayNobody fights him. Ocon for the lead of the race got behind, and that was it. But if it’s someone else, they go for the kill.”

Ocon’s passive response to Verstappen’s move has stirred debate: Are drivers too intimidated by Verstappen’s skill and aggression to contest his overtakes? This trend appears consistent with Verstappen’s recent races, where he often faces minimal resistance while advancing through the grid.

Lando Norris: The Only Driver Who Challenges Verstappen?

One driver who consistently goes wheel-to-wheel with Verstappen is McLaren’s Lando Norris. This season, Norris has been one of the few to engage Verstappen in intense battles, as seen in Austria, Austin, and Mexico. Despite coming off second best in Austria after a puncture, Norris admitted it was a valuable learning experience.

Is the F1 Grid Scared of Max Verstappen? Why ‘Nobody Fights Him’ on Track

“We’ve gone over things a few times. I’ve learned many things,” Norris said. “Max has a very different way of racing compared to a lot of others, and that’s some of the reasons why he’s a champion.”

In Austin and Mexico, Norris showed signs of evolving his approach to racing Verstappen, applying his experiences to more calculated challenges. But even Norris, who remains undeterred by Verstappen’s aggressive style, acknowledges that battling Max requires a unique mindset and racing strategy.

Is Max Verstappen’s Dominance Set to Continue?

As Max Verstappen heads to Las Vegas with the potential to secure another World Championship title, the question lingers: Can any driver genuinely challenge him? His current dominance, coupled with an aura of untouchability on track, suggests that he may continue to reign unchallenged unless competitors adopt more aggressive tactics.

In the end, Verstappen’s victories may not only highlight his own incredible talent but also underscore a shift in how his rivals perceive him—a champion whose skills command a unique level of respect and, perhaps, caution on the F1 grid.

Related Posts

FIA’s surprising decision: Verstappen has an opportunity to “turn the tables.”

FIA’s surprising decision: Verstappen has an opportunity to “turn the tables.”

In a surprising turn of events, the FIA has reconsidered a penalty imposed on Max Verstappen during the 2024 Formula 1 season, following widespread backlash from drivers, analysts, and fans…

Read more
The Controversial McLaren Braking System Banned by the FIA

The Controversial McLaren Braking System Banned by the FIA

In 1998, McLaren faced an in-season rule change when the FIA banned its “fiddle brake” system, discovered by a photographer. This ingenious, cost-effective braking technology, created in 1997, involved a…

Read more
Race Director Wittich to Be Replaced with Just 3 Races Left—What’s Behind the Decision?

Race Director Wittich to Be Replaced with Just 3 Races Left—What’s Behind the Decision?

In a surprising move, Niels Wittich has stepped down as Formula 1’s race director with only three races remaining in the season, leaving the title still up for grabs. The…

Read more
Max Verstappen Compared to Messi

Max Verstappen Compared to Messi

Max Verstappen is earning high praise and being compared to Lionel Messi after a sensational display of “off-the-charts brilliance” at the recent São Paulo Grand Prix. This comparison came from…

Read more
Leclerc Fears Tire Upgrades Will Put Ferrari at a Disadvantage in Las Vegas

Leclerc Fears Tire Upgrades Will Put Ferrari at a Disadvantage in Las Vegas

Last year’s Formula 1 season saw Ferrari make a major surprise by winning the Las Vegas Grand Prix. However, this year, the “Scuderia” faces a big challenge: will the improvements…

Read more
F1 Star Liam Lawson Slams McLaren: 'It's bulls**t'

F1 Star Liam Lawson Slams McLaren: ‘It’s bulls**t’

Kiwi F1 driver Liam Lawson has criticized McLaren for playing the UK national anthem, “God Save the King”, following their race victories, pointing out the irony that the team was…

Read more
Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari Successor Found in F1

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Successor Found in F1

The buzz surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s future in Formula 1 continues to grow, especially as he approaches his 40th birthday in January. Hamilton’s impending switch to Ferrari in F1 2025 has…

Read more
FIA Issues Red Bull Verdict Following Factory Investigation Into Bib Device Concerns

FIA Issues Red Bull Verdict Following Factory Investigation Into Bib Device Concerns

Red Bull Cleared in Bib Device Investigation | In a recent FIA inspection at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes headquarters, the FIA has confirmed that Red Bull’s RB20 bib device complies…

Read more

This Post Has One Comment

  1. That’s just twaddle, most drivers moved out of his way in the lower positions when Max came through from 17th because they weren’t racing him, they knew he would get past eventually anyway, common sense was to let him straight past and use his slipstream to pull away from the drivers they were racing against. Its madness to slow yourself down fighting to keep ahead for a couple more corners and let your real contenders catch up to you. Has Montoya forgotten how to race.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *