F1: Verstappen acknowledges different feelings with 2022 win from 2021

Red Bull's Max Verstappen has acknowledged different feelings and emotions between his two title victories where his F1 2021 win came under immense pressure, while 2022 saw dominance after an initial setback.

Having won the 2021 F1 title under controversial conditions, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen took the 2022 championship in a dominant fashion at Suzuka with four races still to spare in the year. The Dutchman joined the ‘two’ club, consisting of Fernando Alonso, Mika Hakkinen, Emerson Fittipaldi and Jim Clark, as he became the second youngest after Sebastian Vettel to be a two-time champion.

Although it was dominant, it didn’t start that well in 2022 for Verstappen who was trailing Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc at one point and even his own teammate Sergio Perez. But things changed post the Australian GP as he stepped on the dominant gas to eventually seal the deal in Suzuka – under funny circumstances to say the least.

But this win was very different from what happened in 2021 which Verstappen acknowledged as well. 'Yeah, totally,' he said. 'I mean, very different emotions, of course. But also, that's because of the whole season anyway being very different. And you're already starting with completely different cars, a completely different way of racing. And then, of course, also, the number of races we've won.'

'But also they all came in quite a different way. Like, last year it was all really qualifying dependent, and that's how you would normally win a race. Now, even with some engine penalties, it was coming back to the front, it's really been an enjoyable year. And of course, a very special year, which will be very hard, I think, in the future to match from myself, I think as well.'

'That's why I think we really have to appreciate it and really enjoy it. We were enjoying it already, probably now we can just enjoy it a little bit more,' summed up Verstappen. Things got heated in 2021, especially against Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton, who for the first time came under tremendous pressure in the hybrid era to break the shackles.

It was neck and neck all through, the fight not just on the track but also off it. But Verstappen enjoyed both his wins and as it is with everything, the first one is always a bit more emotional for any driver. 'It’s just different, because of the whole season,' he said. 'I mean, already last year was very special for me winning a title. But this year has been… anyway, already because of the cars being very different. But also the way we were working as a team with…'

'Okay, we had a tough start, but I think after that we really worked well as a team. We barely made any mistakes. So, yeah, the two years you cannot compare. But I think the first one is always the most emotional, but I think this one is definitely the better one, just in terms of performance,' summed up Verstappen.

From an emotional point of view as well, Verstappen reckons both the wins are different to each other where he felt last year was the worst feeling due to the title being decided at the final event. And he felt nice in 2022 as he didn’t have to feel the same pressure for two seasons in a row which is why the feeling this year was very different and it was a nice experience to win it this way.

'Yeah, very different emotions,' said Verstappen. 'Last year, all the way till the last race is probably the worst kind of feeling, going into that last race. But also because at the time, I don't think we were the quickest anymore, so that also doesn't help. And this year, I think, yeah, it's just been very, very different in emotions from the start, all the way through to the year.'

'But both are beautiful and both are, at the end of the day, nice to experience because it's nice also really have always the pressure on and having to perform to your limit every single lap of the race. But not for too many years in a row. So, I was very happy with the year we had this time around,' summed up Verstappen.

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