Max Verstappen – “This Year I Only Made One Big Mistake”; Reveals His Biggest Embarrassment in 2023

In a sport that’s defined by the pursuit of excellence, Max Verstappen has taken it to a level that will be hard to match for anyone in the future. And perhaps it won’t ever be matched. Despite breaking records after records, despite winning 19 out of 22 races, despite leading more than 1000 laps in a single season, and despite scoring more than double the points of the driver second in the driver’s championship, Max Verstappen still doesn’t think he had a perfect season. And that’s the kind of mindset that makes him one of the greats of F1, even at such a young age.

The Dutchman’s performance in the 2023 F1 season was the stuff of legends. However, the Red Bull driver, in a candid interview with Blick, openly shared one significant misstep in his otherwise flawless campaign. It’s a mentality that sets him apart from mere mortals.

Max Verstappen calls his incident in the pits at Silverstone as an embarrassment

Max Verstappen’s relentless pursuit of self-improvement has been the hallmark of his Formula 1 career. His biggest challenge has been his desire to surpass his own limits. The Dutchman defies the conventional method of easing into race weekends. Instead, he asserts dominance from the first free practice session, sending a clear message to rivals about his benchmark-setting prowess.

Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner emphasizes Verstappen’s relentless pursuit of excellence, as he was quoted by Racing News 365, “He is relentless in his pursuit of performance. He doesn’t want to just win, he wants to dominate.”

A defining moment occurred in Monaco, where Verstappen, under immense pressure, pushed the limits of his car to deny Fernando Alonso the pole position. He somehow channels his own abilities to extract the maximum potential from the vehicle, as opposed to merely relying on its strengths.

Reflecting on the season during a recent interview with Blick, Max Verstappen admitted to his only significant mistake in 2023. When asked if he thinks he made any mistake in 2023, the Dutchman reflected, “This year I only made one big mistake. I drove into the pit wall in Silverstone. That’s rather embarrassing. But not everything went perfectly in Singapore either. Unfortunately, I beat myself up with the vote – and it has already happened. Our only defeat in 2023 was perfect (Carlos Sainz winning in Singapore.)”

What comes naturally with the strife for perfection is the ability to push everyone around you for perfection as well. And Max Verstappen, for one, never shies away from having his feelings in the car known to his team over team radio.

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Gianpiero Lambiase gets big praise from Christian Horner for his ability to manage a grumpy Max Verstappen

The partnership between Max Verstappen and Gianpiero Lambiase is a key driver behind Red Bull’s success. Christian Horner, the team boss, has recently praised Lambiase for his exceptional ability to manage the often grumpy Verstappen.

Horner expressed his admiration, stating, “He has taken a bromance to the next level this year in terms of managing a driver.“ Max Verstappen and Lambiase’s relationship is a fascinating blend of toughness and camaraderie. Despite occasional heated exchanges, particularly when things go awry during race weekends, Lambiase manages to maintain a level-headed approach.

When Verstappen vents his frustration on the radio, Lambiase responds with crisp and fitting replies, effectively keeping the driver humble. Horner acknowledges the challenges at the Prize giving ceremony, “I would also like to congratulate Gianpiero Lambiase for what he has achieved with Max, by putting up with a grumpy Max at times.“

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Do you think there will ever be a more dominant season in F1 where any one driver will be able to get close to what Verstappen achieved in 2023? Share your thoughts in the comments below.