'Verstappen is going to be even more dangerous to the competition'

The new Formula 1 season is about to begin with Max Verstappen as reigning world champion. In his eighth season, he made his big dream come true, and former Formula One driver and analyst Christijan Albers thinks the competition is going to have an even harder time with the Dutchman this season.

New contract for Verstappen at Red Bull Racing

In early March, Verstappen extended his contract at Red Bull Racing by five years. That means the Dutchman will drive for the Austrian team until 2028. In the Dutch Telegraaf Formule 1 podcast Albers let it be known that he thinks this is the best option for the brand new world champion epecially because Red Bull Racing is the winning team with which he became world champion.

Last season's battle between Red Bull and Mercedes also plays into it, according to Albers. "The Verstappen's weren't always too keen on the German team. Especially the way the team reacted after Verstappen's crash at Silverstone." A race that Lewis Hamilton eventually won and celebrated exuberantly while Verstappen was taken to the hospital.

The pressure is off Verstappen

Albers thinks that by winning the world title and extending his contract, a lot of pressure is gone from Verstappen. "For drivers it's nice that you have so much security. I don't think that's good for your performance. It gives peace of mind and confidence." Albers recalls from his own time in Formula 1 that there were a lot of yearly contracts, which always caused a lot of stress and hassle.

With winning his first world title, the pressure may be off for Verstappen, but his motivation will not be any less. According to Albers, Verstappen will only want more. "It's a kind of healthy drug. You only want more." Indeed, now that Verstappen has both his world title and a new contract in his pocket, the Dutchman will only come out stronger. "I think he's going to be even more dangerous for the competition this year," he said.