P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Carlos Sainz has claimed the second part of the 2024 season has shown multiple F1 drivers can beat Max Verstappen “week in, week out” in more equal cars.
Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship in Las Vegas by finishing fifth, securing an insurmountable lead with two races remaining. Despite a dominant start to the season with seven wins in the first 10 races, Verstappen faced a challenging 10-race period as other teams capitalized on Red Bull’s decreased competitiveness. Maintaining his lead with strategic results, a spectacular win from 17th place in Brazil nearly sealed his title. Verstappen suggested he could have won the championship earlier in Ferrari or McLaren cars, highlighting Red Bull’s package deficiency for most of 2024. Sainz praised Verstappen’s stellar performance but noted the growing competitiveness among drivers in the second half of the season. As Red Bull encountered difficulties at the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s car development. Sainz emphasized the impact of pressure on performance, suggesting that mistakes and complaints arise when competitive margins shrink in F1.