Red Bull believe that securing the 2022 Constructors' Championship feels more "earned" compared to previous years. Reflecting on the team's performance this year, Red Bull Chief Engineer Paul Monaghan says that their domination has meant that they haven't needed to rely on any "luck" going their way to win the title. "Different, equally as satisfying? I remember the first Constructors' Championship in Brazil 2010. There wasn't a belief that we could get there. It was sort of an expectation, and it was then a massive relief," he said on the F1 Nation podcast. "This one, it feels a bit more like we've earned it and we're rightfully there as opposed to being a little bit lucky." Monaghan goes on to say that the effort from the team this year is what meant they were able to take on one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world and beat them. "So thrilled for everybody that works for the team, supports the team, Honda, there's a load of people back in Milton Keynes that do a wonderful work," he added. "But what a team effort and we've taken on on the biggest car manufacturers in the world and beaten them."
Monaghan: Verstappen more "assured" with his performances in 2022
Speaking about where Max Verstappen's greatest strengths have been throughout the season, Monaghan feels that his approach to 2022 has been a lot more "assured" compared to previous years. "I've seen a more assured Max with his own performances," he explained. "Disappointments like Bahrain, Australia, they didn't derail him. You'd see a calmness to him, which wasn't always there in the past. Last year was was a tumultuous year with Lewis [Hamilton] and he fought all the way. "This year in adversity, he's demonstrated unbelievable levels of skill and competence. "We've been a bit fortunate if you look at Spain, we shouldn't really have won that one, but we did. So I've seen more mature Max driving better than I've ever seen him drive."
When did Red Bull believe they could win it?
When asked about when he thought Red Bull could win the championship, Monaghan says that after the Dutch Grand Prix in September the team started to believe it was possible. "Netherlands? I think [at] Monza we were a little bit fortunate. Up until then, if you don't want to let it get away from yourself, you think, 'We've really got to mess up if we're going to fall over,'" he commented. "But never take it for granted. Charles [Leclerc] is a hell of a driver, isn't he? I never really felt it [the championship] was in the bag until it is."
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