‘Everyone is catching up’ – Verstappen prepared for ‘proper battle’ as 2024 season goes on

Max Verstappen has prepared himself for a sustained challenge from several drivers and teams over the second half of the 2024 campaign, saying it is “really unknown what is going to happen” as the field continues to converge.

Verstappen and Red Bull dominated the start to F1’s latest ‘ground effect’ era of technical regulations, storming to both world titles during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but they have faced stiffer competition this year.

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Indeed, four different teams and six different drivers have won a race so far, with Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes all triumphing via Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton respectively.

While Verstappen still holds a relatively comfortable championship lead thanks to his supreme consistency, four of the last seven victories have gone to different driver/team combinations, and the Dutchman is excited for more battles ahead.

“For sure,” said Verstappen during last weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, when asked if he is enjoying the fact that it’s getting closer at the front in F1.

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“We had some great years. Of course, this year also started off really competitively, and now everyone’s catching up a bit. Every race is a proper battle as well, so it’s great.

“I think that [theme] will continue also for the rest of the season, so it’s really unknown what is going to happen, and that’s great for the sport.”

After relatively smooth runs to the title over the last two years, Verstappen is embracing the added competition as he looks to make it four world titles on the bounce.

“I mean, in general, it’s just great to have so many fantastic drivers in F1 and making it difficult to win,” the 26-year-old went on to comment.

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“I think everyone was waiting for that as well and that’s definitely what F1 fans want. To have this is great between so many different teams as well. It’s going to be a great rest of the year.”