P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen narrowly missed out on a fifth F1 title this year but had a notable increase in support from the sidelines.
Max Verstappen has admitted he was left surprised by the fans rallying to his support as he chased an unlikely fifth F1 title this year. He was largely seen as a non-contender for much of the season while McLaren dominated the field. Despite being 104 points down after the Dutch Grand Prix in August, he closed the gap over the following races and gained notable support from fans in his championship hunt, a stark difference from previous years. Verstappen expressed his surprise at the notable portion of fans rooting for him, suggesting that they might finally be realizing who he truly is as a racer. Ultimately missing out on the title by a mere two points to Lando Norris, Verstappen maintained that he has not changed his character over the past year and values staying true to himself. He emphasized the importance of having sincere people around him who would point out if he ever veers off from his authentic self, expressing gratitude for his supportive family and friends.
