F1 News: Max Verstappen Reveals “Party Mode” Frustration From Mercedes Era – “I Couldn’t Win”

Reflecting on the intense rivalry with Mercedes, Max Verstappen opens up about the frustrations he faced during their dominant years.

Key Takeaways:

• Max Verstappen expressed frustration during Mercedes’ dominance, where securing race wins seemed unattainable, highlighting the impact of their “party mode” on Red Bull’s performance.
• Verstappen’s preference for Sundays underscores the importance of scoring points, reflecting on the frustrating period where winning was elusive during the Mercedes era.
• Despite the challenges, Verstappen expresses joy in his current competitive position, emphasizing his dreams finally coming true as he contends for victories.

During the era of Mercedes’ dominance in Formula 1, Max Verstappen found himself in a constant battle against seemingly insurmountable odds. Reflecting on those challenging times, Verstappen revealed his frustrations, particularly regarding the infamous “party mode” used by Mercedes, which he believes distorted the true essence of racing.

Verstappen shed light on the situation, stating:

“That’s true, but I don’t think our car was that much faster in the race back then. Sometimes it looked like we were close in qualifying. But I think it’s always difficult to say because you never know how good the other guys’ laps were, and then it was also the case that one particular engine manufacturer had a party mode from 2014 to 2017 or 2018.”

Verstappen’s remarks underscore the challenges Red Bull faced during the Mercedes era, where victories seemed elusive despite their best efforts. The Dutch driver emphasized the significance of race days, where points are scored, contrasting the focus on qualifying speed that characterized the period dominated by Mercedes.

Verstappen’s preference for Sundays aligns with his ultimate goal of contending for victories, a dream he struggled to realize during the frustrating Mercedes era. However, despite the obstacles encountered, Verstappen finds solace and joy in his current competitive position, where he can vie for race wins and championships.

Verstappen expressed his contentment with the current state of affairs, stating:

“I found it very frustrating back then when I couldn’t win. Because you have the feeling that you can do it – but you can’t show it. That’s why I’m very happy in the position I’m in now. This is what I dreamed of. I hoped it would turn out like this. Now that the situation has arrived, I’m obviously trying to make the most of it.”

As Verstappen continues his pursuit of championship glory, his journey serves as a testament to perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity, offering inspiration to aspiring racers worldwide.