Max Verstappen has drawn out the contrasts between his 2024 F1 drivers' championship fight with Lando Norris and his first world title triumph, against Lewis Hamilton, in 2021.
The Dutchman, who is chasing a fourth-consecutive crown, highlighted a crucial distinction, whilst explaining how "different" this season feels to three years ago.
Having cantered to the championship in both 2022 and 2023, the 27-year-old smashed records during the latter as he and Red Bull romped to 19 and 21 grand prix wins respectively en route to both titles.
The current campaign initially looked to be more of the same for F1. Having secured three one-two finishes in the opening four rounds, Red Bull - and Verstappen - appeared poised to ease through another dominant year.
However, the upgrades McLaren introduced in Miami turned the season on its head. The Woking-based team has usurped its Milton Keynes rivals atop the standings, leading by 41 points with six rounds to run.
As Red Bull has simultaneously started to struggle with the RB20, Norris has been able to reduce his deficit to Verstappen from the high-water mark of 84 points after the British Grand Prix to the 52 points it is now.
Although, the two drivers' title protagonist's teams are not the only constructors' capable of taking victories in 2024, with Ferrari and Mercedes having claimed three wins apiece.
That detail is a significant factor for Verstappen, who feels "more relaxed" about fighting for championships than when he went toe-to-toe - and blow-for-blow - with Hamilton in 2021.
"Right now we still have four teams at the front, while back then you just had the same two people up front," Verstappen explained to Motorsport.com.
"2021 was my first world championship, so that was very different already. I think I'm a bit more relaxed about it now.
"Of course, I want to win and of course, I'm going to do my best to defend that [52-point] lead. But the feeling is very different from 2021."
Also interesting:
It has been a year since Max Verstappen won his third F1 title - with six grands prix to spare. Now Verstappen is in a fight this year, and with Red Bull under pressure to deliver him a car to retain his crown. Join RacingNews365's Ian, Sam and Nick as they discuss this and more ahead of the final six races.
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