Max Verstappen (via IMAGO)

Max Verstappen faced an extremely unfortunate situation at the Hungarian GP and lost out on the podium due to multiple blunders. The Dutchman was reportedly up till 3 AM the night just before the race. As a result, multiple people including Helmut Marko blamed this activity to be the reason for the 26-year-old’s antics in Hungary. However, Verstappen has since responded to these claims.

Helmut Marko previously declared that Max Verstappen wouldn’t participate in late-night sim racing henceforth. However, Verstappen had to put forth his fair share of comments on the entire situation. The Dutchman recalled the Emilia-Romagna GP and how he won the 24 hours of Nurburgring before winning the race. Hence, since the 26-year-old won the race, people weren’t batting an eye over it.

I won both races (Imola & virtual Nürburgring), then you don't hear anyone. But if you don't win, other things are brought up.

Max Verstappen said during an interview.

Verstappen reflected on his Formula 1 career since 2015 and how he used to partake in racing. The Dutchman made it clear that this was the way he partook in racing in the sport. Additionally, the reigning world champion recalled his three championships and noted that he could ‘estimate’ his own capabilities well.

I've been doing this since 2015. I've won three world titles and I think I can estimate fairly well what I can and can't do.

Max Verstappen added.

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Red Bull’s degrading chassis performance and poor strategy were some of the major reasons for the Hungarian GP’s failure. From Verstappen’s response, it was clear that lack of sleep wasn’t the real reason behind the loss in Budapest. Additionally, the Dutchman believed that people always had some or other reasons to blame in such a situation.
Max Verstappen, Helmut Marko and Christian Horner (Via: Imago)
Verstappen noted that people blame the losses on different excuses and there were always things to be made up over such failing performances.

It is always if you don't win the race, you will always blame it on 'ah, you staying up until 3am,' always being one kilo overweight. There are always things to make up and argue about when you are not winning races.

Max Verstappen noted

The Austrian constructor has continued to upgrade their package to showcase an upturn in performance amidst the disappointment. However, a ten-place grid penalty is evident for the Dutchman in the upcoming races. Hence, the team will have to work extremely hard in the 2024 season to continue to lead the championship.