What Max Verstappen has changed since winning 2021 F1 title that’s made him ‘one of the very best’

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When Max Verstappen took his first Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship in 2021 it kickstarted a dominant run that now sees him fighting for a fourth in 2024.

Although some would argue that his driving style has remained the same and controversial on track, much has changed in his demeanour off the track.

The Dutchman has been on top form having put on a dominant display in 2023 at the wheel of the RB19, breaking records for most consecutive wins (10 in a row) and establishing himself as third in the all-time win list behind the great Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.

When discussing his success with Verstappen on the F1 Beyond the Grid podcast, Red Bull chief mechanic Paul Monaghan said there is an element to Verstappen which changed after winning his first title which enabled him to become one of the best the championship has ever seen.

Paul Monaghan explains why Max Verstappen is one of the best F1 has seen

Verstappen has earned praise before from former drivers, including Gerhard Berger who claimed he was in ‘awe’ due to the little mistakes he makes.

The 1996 World Champion Damon Hill also pointed out Verstappen’s ‘utterly mindblowing’ pole lap around the Red Bull Ring, saying he is “always astonishing” when he is at the limit in qualifying.

Monaghan explains a key treat in Verstappen that enables him to extract more than other drivers on the grid at the moment.

“In terms of Max himself, you began to see underneath that relaxed exterior is a phenomenal inner strength. There’s a sort of mythical armour, not much is going to derail him,” said Monaghan.

“His confidence has built. He’s driving with a great deal more assuredness now than 2021 when we got tangled up with Lewis a few times.

“Now, nothing much faces him, so I suppose the evolution is he’s gone from someone who had an expectation, a belief and a confidence, to someone who has realized that expectation and is now one of the very best we’ll see.”

Max Verstappen’s no-nonsense approach to racing

Verstappen has earned a reputation for having a no-nonsense approach to racing on track, which is why he can often be at the brunt of controversial moments on track.

Most recently this boiled over at Red Bull’s home race in Austria, where Verstappen fought for the win in the closing stages with McLaren’s Lando Norris.

READ MORE: Red Bull driver Max Verstappen’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

The stewards admitted they should have issued a black-and-white flag in the aftermath, but it shows just how far Verstappen is willing to push things to achieve his ultimate goal of winning.

Red Bull faces stiff competition in the second half of 2024 after upgrades to the floor of their RB20 failed to bring the performance they expected, meaning Verstappen will need to make the difference to maintain their points advantage in the next couple of races.