Pressure on Verstappen and Red Bull causes stress: 'We are not robots'

Since the Miami Grand Prix, Red Bull Racing has been struggling more with the car. McLaren and Ferrari have moved closer, adding to the tension at the front. In Miami, Lando Norris won, in Monaco Charles Leclerc won and in the other races, the competition was never far behind Verstappen. The pecking order has changed since the start of the season.

More pressure on Red Bull Racing

''The last few circuits we have been to there we had bumps and kerbs. Our car doesn't like that. Hopefully it will be a bit easier now. I don't expect an easy weekend because I think McLaren, for example, has been fast everywhere now. They will also be fast here. Mercedes and Ferrari have also taken a good step forward. If you can be fast in Monaco and Canada, you can also be fast here,'' Verstappen said in Spain.

''I think there have been races where maybe we are under more pressure. As a result, you have to drive against 100 per cent more often. That is normal. In the past I had to do that too. In some races last year, I didn't have to go to that 100 per cent. That's just how it is.''

With competitors getting closer, the races are a lot more exciting than a year ago, which is great for F1 fans. Despite this, Verstappen still prefers winning more easily, like in 2023: "I enjoy Montreal as well, but not every single time. It's quite stressful. But at the same time, I also really enjoy really getting everything out of the car myself and winning by 20 seconds. But I'm not afraid of competition as well. So for me, it doesn't matter here and there, having one of these races is okay."

Is Verstappen happy with more appreciation from the F1 world?

The battle at the front does bring back more appreciation for Verstappen's performance. In Canada, Verstappen managed to win by making the fewest mistakes, unlike his rivals. However, this extra appreciation doesn't mean much for the Dutchman. 

''I'm not here because of other people's opinions. I know what I can do and the team knows what I can do. So I just focus on my performance. And I know that when we are under pressure, we can do a good job. But of course, we are not robots. People make mistakes. I make mistakes as well.
But you try to minimize those kinds of mistakes throughout the year, especially when you are in a tight battle with a lot of teams where you constantly need to score points.'' Concluded the three-time world champion.