Verstappen sees F1 take positive step: 'That didn't mean it'

Max Verstappen believes Formula 1 has taken a good step forward on certain fronts with the new regulations. Among other things, the Dutchman points to the increased tension in the race, which means that a positive performance in qualifying is no longer immediately sacrosanct.

For much of last season, Ferrari had the faster car over a lap. It meant Red Bull Racing often went into Sunday's main race trailing. Despite this, the team managed to secure both championships.

"With these new cars, it’s quite interesting, because before you really focused a lot on qualifying," Verstappen stated in conversation with The Race. "Because you knew that it was very hard to pass a car. Now, even if your qualifying is not amazing, if you have a good race car, you can still fight and you can still actually pass people."

Verstappen, however, is glad it was different in 2021, because in that case he would have lost a lot of points. "If we had that problem last year where you have a problem in qualifying, where you’re not as competitive, we wouldn’t have won the amount of races as we did this year. This year, pole was nice, but it doesn’t always mean that you’re going to win the race."

Verstappen compliments Red Bull

The two-time World Champion also stated that his team won several races in 2022, where they were no better than the competition. In terms of strategy and consistency, however, he said the Austrian formation managed to make the difference.