Max Verstappen delivers damning assessment of F1 title hopes

Max Verstappen has played down his F1 drivers' championship credentials for the season, arguing it "doesn't really feel like a fight" with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.

The Dutchman sits third in the standings one third of the way into the current campaign, trailing the McLaren team-mates by 25 and 22 points respectively.

With two grand prix victories to his name across those eight rounds, the Red Bull driver has remained in touching distance by continuing to maximise results through consistently strong performances, something that was the backbone of his fourth F1 drivers' title last season.

However, despite his best efforts, the 27-year-old does not feel this season will live long in his memory as things stand.

"For me, it doesn't really feel like a fight, to be honest," Verstappen told media, including RacingNews365, whilst appraising the championship battle between the trio. 

"I just try to do my best, have a bit of fun out there. But yeah, it's not like this season up until this point is going to be in my memory forever."

'That doesn't mean I'm enjoying it or loving it'

Despite Verstappen's form, Red Bull has struggled to produce a car that can put him in a position to fight for victory week in, week out since the early part of last season.

Like its predecessor, the RB21 remains difficult to set up and has a small operating window for the Milton Keynes squad to aim at.

When asked if it is exciting not knowing how well his car will perform on any given weekend, Verstappen rejected the notion.

"I'm more excited if I know that we're going to be super quick," the 65-time grand prix winner said. "That's the most exciting.

"The rest... I mean, I always try to do my best, but yeah. This year so far, it had some real positives, but, of course, also some negatives [as] with some races we are really off the pace, which is not enjoyable."

When it was observed that his fighting spirit has not diminished, Verstappen agreed, but added it does not mean he is "enjoying or loving" this season.

"That is also never disappearing," he replied. "But that also doesn't mean that I'm enjoying it or loving it. I like it, but until this point, it's not going to be remembered forever for me."