Max Verstappen’s reign in Formula 1 is currently unrivaled, with the Dutch driver poised for his fourth world championship title this season. Despite Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s CEO, hinting at an impending shift in the sport’s hierarchy, Verstappen’s dominance remains unquestionable.
Verstappen’s ascent to the top began with his inaugural championship win in 2021, a hard-fought battle against veteran Lewis Hamilton. Since then, he has asserted his supremacy over the following seasons, clinching successive titles with ease.
Entering the 2024 season, Verstappen has maintained his stranglehold on the championship chase, securing victories in four out of the initial six races. His commanding performances have solidified his status as the frontrunner for this year’s title.
However, Domenicali has cast a shadow of doubt over Verstappen’s prolonged dominance, suggesting that rival teams are closing in on Red Bull’s superiority.
“I think it’s right to say we are not manufacturing a fake result because someone is doing better than the others,” Domenicali remarked in an interview with ESPN. “That’s not the objective of the sport.
“And by the way, throughout the sport, Formula 1 has lived through cycles where we have had great racers who won for many years, one after the other, this is not a factor that is not attracting people.
“There is also the fact that if there are too many races that are [being won], then you are not able to beat the legend.
“So we need to respect the fact that so far Max has been the best driver and soon maybe there will be someone that will take that place.”
Verstappen’s remarkable track record, boasting a 76 percent win rate in races held since 2022, has not escaped the notice of fans, who have observed a dwindling level of competition and a surge in predictability within Formula 1.
Nevertheless, Domenicali has called upon fans to maintain their interest in the sport, vehemently refuting claims that Formula 1’s current state is mundane. “These fans are very, very few I would say,” he asserted. “We are all sold out everywhere around the world, the enormous numbers are growing.
“So I think that they are a very limited number, but they should stay focused on our sport because they have big, big things happening.
“All the cars are very close. Things can always happen every single moment. So I would advise them to stay with us.”
