A Special First Time
Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive world championship in 2024, becoming only the fifth driver in Formula 1 history to achieve this milestone. Despite the many emotions of the past season and the challenges he faced in the second half of the year, when his Red Bull was no longer the best car on the grid, this campaign cannot compare—in terms of stress and tension—with 2021. That year, Max Verstappen claimed his first title after an intense and highly controversial battle with Lewis Hamilton.
In an interview on Red Bull’s official podcast, *Talking Bull*, Max Verstappen answered a fan’s question about which race from the 2024 season or his career he would like to relive. Somewhat surprisingly, the Dutch champion explicitly ruled out both his comeback victory in Brazil this year and the infamous Abu Dhabi 2021 title decider, where he snatched the world championship from Hamilton on the final lap, sparking endless controversy.
Frozen Hands
Explaining his response, Max Verstappen emphasized the extreme emotional stress caused by those races. “If I had to relive the day of my first title, I honestly think I’d die of a heart attack,” the #1 from Hasselt admitted, revealing an emotional side perhaps never publicly shown before. “Normally, before a race, I’m not particularly nervous,” Max Verstappen explained. “You’re well-prepared, and there’s just a bit of nervousness because you want to do well.”
However, with his first title on the line and the standings tied with Lewis Hamilton, even Max Verstappen betrayed a certain level of anxiety. “I remember the people who saw me that day, especially my girlfriend Kelly (Piquet). She came to my room before the race and told me my hands were freezing. So, I wouldn’t want to relive those moments,” concluded the 27-year-old. “I mean, they’re amazing to watch back, but not to experience again.”
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