Verstappen: Motivation ‘not that hard’ despite fading title hopes

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Max Verstappen has dismissed any suggestions that his motivation is wavering, even as his chances of clinching a record-equalling fifth consecutive Formula 1 world championship fade rapidly.

The Dutchman enters his home race at Zandvoort trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by a daunting 97 points with only 10 rounds remaining.

The championship appears poised for a McLaren showdown, marking a shift from Verstappen’s recent dominance.

With Red Bull’s RB21 struggling for consistency, team advisor Helmut Marko has already conceded the title, while Verstappen himself has long admitted this season won’t deliver another crown.

Still, the 26-year-old insists he is far from despondent.

"It's not that hard, to be honest," Verstappen told reporters ahead of this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix, when asked if he was finding it difficult to stay motivated.

"There will be a time that it won’t happen. Unfortunately, that is a bit the case at the moment.

©RedBull

"But it doesn’t make sense for me to be frustrated or be screaming about it, because it's just a waste of energy. That’s not what I'm doing.

"I think we just need to look at the car and the operation and how we can move forward in the future and be better. That’s what we are doing currently."

The championship appears poised for a McLaren showdown, marking a shift from Verstappen’s recent dominance.

Red Bull’s failure to keep pace with McLaren has left Verstappen facing his first unsuccessful title defence in Formula 1. Yet, he remains focused on building for the future rather than lamenting the present.

Hope for Zandvoort chaos

Returning to Zandvoort, Verstappen can at least count on the support of a passionate home crowd. He has won three of the four races held at the venue since the Dutch Grand Prix’s return in 2021, with Lando Norris ending his streak last season.

While the RB21 may not thrive on the circuit’s characteristics, Verstappen is optimistic that unpredictable weather could play into Red Bull’s hands.

Asked whether he expects to be closer to the front than in Hungary, where Red Bull’s struggles were pronounced, Verstappen replied: "I would hope so! That was not a great weekend for us, so I hope that we can be closer.

"I don't think this is going to be our best track in the remainder of the calendar, but then again, there might be some weather coming in as well.

"So that always creates a bit of chaos, so we just need to see what happens."

Read also: Red Bull insider reveals bold Verstappen ploy vs Hamilton in 2021

As the McLaren duo of Piastri and Norris look set to battle it out for the crown, Verstappen’s focus has already shifted beyond 2025.

For now, though, the Dutchman remains determined to deliver for his home fans – even if the championship itself is slipping out of reach.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.