Max Verstappen’s dominant 2024 Formula 1 campaign continues to capture the headlines, with the Dutch driver currently holding a commanding 52-point lead over McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Heading into the United States Grand Prix weekend, where Red Bull will start from pole and Norris from fourth, the reigning world champion’s confidence is high.
However, a recent revelation from a Red Bull engineer sheds light on just how close Verstappen came to an unexpected second DNF (Did Not Finish) earlier this season, which could have significantly impacted his title bid.
According to the engineer, Verstappen faced a major technical issue during a crucial race earlier this year—one that very nearly forced him to retire from the race.
Although specific details about the race in question were not disclosed, the engineer revealed that the problem was linked to a critical component of the car’s power unit.
The issue, which involved an electrical fault, was so severe that it caused a dramatic loss of power.
This resulted in Verstappen being unable to extract the maximum performance from his car during the latter stages of the race, putting his chances of securing a finish in jeopardy.
Red Bull’s technical team acted swiftly, making real-time adjustments to try and mitigate the issue.
The problem was ultimately contained, but not without significant effort from the engineers and Verstappen himself, who had to manage the car’s compromised performance while maintaining a race pace that would allow him to secure points.
As the race unfolded, Verstappen narrowly avoided a second DNF after his team’s intervention. Had the fault worsened or gone unaddressed, it could have been a costly retirement for the championship leader.
This near-miss highlights the razor-thin margins at the highest levels of motorsport. While Red Bull has been the dominant force in the 2024 season, the team knows that even minor technical issues can have far-reaching consequences in a championship battle.
The close call serves as a reminder that, despite Verstappen’s extraordinary driving skills and the team’s exceptional performance, the unpredictable nature of Formula 1 always leaves room for potential pitfalls.
As Verstappen looks to extend his lead over Norris at the United States GP, the recent revelation underscores the importance of reliability in the ongoing title fight.
Red Bull will be focused on ensuring that their car remains in peak condition as they aim for another victory in Austin and continue their championship charge.