Verstappen acknowledges that 'mind games' are now unnecessary.

      "I have nothing to lose in this title race."

      Max Verstappen has stated that he no longer feels the need to engage in psychological tactics with his competitors, but he acknowledges that the increasing tension with McLaren's title challengers is beginning to echo the dynamics of 2021. Speaking to De Limburger during the Mexican Grand Prix, the Dutch driver discussed the changes in his mindset since his initial championship battle with Lewis Hamilton.

      "Back then, I played that sort of game. Will I do that again? I don’t need to," remarked the four-time world champion. "At that time, I hadn’t yet won a world title. Now I have several, and they (Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris) do not. At this point, those who haven't won a championship yet are naturally more nervous than those who have."

      The 28-year-old emphasized that his remarkable comeback this season isn’t about proving anything to others. "I don’t care what others think," he stated. "However, it’s sometimes nice to demonstrate that it’s not solely about the car.

      "Winning in Formula 1 obviously requires a good car, but it doesn’t always need to be the absolute best. I have nothing to lose in this title race – I just have to give it my all."

      Verstappen did express that his only regret this year is the incident in Barcelona, where a clash with George Russell, due to a loss of temper, cost him significant points. "That moment in Barcelona was certainly not ideal, but there’s nothing I can change about it now," he acknowledged. "Perhaps it was even a good thing it occurred. You should remember my reasoning behind it – I was frustrated because I cared. If I didn’t, I would have said, ‘Just pass me and figure it out later.’

      "That’s why I can’t agree with what Helmut (Marko) suggested – that I’ve lost interest in Formula 1. I’m always driven. When I’m in the car, I give everything, because if I don’t, someone else will. You can’t approach Formula 1 half-heartedly."

      Verstappen also commented on claims that he has become more cautious with the media. "I’ve been in this sport for around eleven years now," he mentioned. "I often don’t feel like detailing everything. Firstly, it’s not always everyone’s business, and sometimes it's better to say less. There’s so much nonsense written these days, not just in Formula 1.

      "Sometimes it’s challenging to distinguish what’s real from what isn’t." His public image, he stated, has simply evolved over time. "Since 2021, I haven’t changed," he explained. "People form an image of you and stick with it.

      "I'm not going to change based on what others think of me. If you remain true to yourself, your true nature will reveal itself over time. It’s similar to thinking someone is unpleasant – then you talk to them for an hour and realize they’re actually nice."

      Regarding the shift in power within Red Bull following Christian Horner’s exit mid-season, Verstappen noted that the team’s improved performance under Laurent Mekies is not attributed to a single person.

      "Since he took over as team principal, we’ve been having discussions every Thursday – about everything, not just the car," Verstappen explained. "Perhaps people are listening to me more or communicating with me better now. But the entire team has an impact. There’s a new approach in how we determine the ideal setup. And the new floor since Monza has significantly helped."

      When asked if this turnaround could have occurred without Horner’s departure, Verstappen replied: "You can’t know for sure. But I’m really pleased with how things are progressing – with Laurent, with the team, and everyone in Austria and Thailand. There’s a shared alignment. For such a large brand, that’s crucial.

      "I'm heading to the track now feeling more relaxed – and certainly, having a more competitive car helps as well."

      Finally, when queried if McLaren should be anxious about his pursuit, Verstappen smiled. "It’s alright to apply a bit of pressure, right?" he replied. "If we succeed, it will be amazing. If not, I won’t just sulk in a corner. The first 14 races were clearly disappointing. But the fact that we’re still in this fight is already a victory in its own right."