P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen says often enough that qualifying could be very close in only to whizz away from the field in the race. What is going on?
In 2023, Max Verstappen dominated Formula 1 with a record 19 wins out of 22 races, earning 575 points, leading 1,003 laps, and setting numerous records, but fell short of Sebastian Vettel’s 2011 record of 15 pole positions with 12. Charles Leclerc emerged as Verstappen’s closest competitor, often challenging in qualifying but struggling in races due to the RB19’s superior race performance. The disconnect between qualifying and race performance may be due to drivers pushing harder in qualifying with fresh tires, leading to overheating and degradation issues during races, as evidenced by Haas in 2023. Verstappen’s ability to maintain lap-time consistency without overstressing the tires sets him apart from his competitors and allows him to maintain a performance edge throughout a race. However, the question remains: how much is Verstappen holding back, knowing his superior package can secure victories without pushing to the limit?
