Max Verstappen, despite winning the F1 Sprint race at the Belgian Grand Prix last weekend, failed to reach the podium in the main race, finishing fourth. The Red Bull driver began the race from fourth position and pursued Charles Leclerc fiercely in the final laps but ultimately missed out on a top-three finish for the third consecutive Grand Prix. This marks a rare streak of three races without a podium for Verstappen, something he has not experienced since before winning his World Championship titles.

Reviewing Verstappen’s Performances in the Past Three Grands Prix

After securing second place at the Canadian Grand Prix in June, Verstappen entered a challenging phase with no podium finishes in the following three events. At the Austrian Grand Prix, his race ended abruptly due to a collision with rookie Kimi Antonelli on the first lap. Subsequently, Verstappen came in fifth at the British Grand Prix, followed by his fourth-place result at Spa-Francorchamps during the Belgian Grand Prix. These races combined have created a rare stretch where Verstappen finished outside the top three in three successive grands prix.

Comparing to Verstappen’s Similar 2019 Streak

The last time Verstappen experienced three consecutive races without a podium was in 2019, beginning with the Russian Grand Prix. He finished fourth in that race behind Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, as well as Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. In the subsequent Japanese Grand Prix, Verstappen retired after 14 laps due to damage sustained in a first-lap collision with Leclerc. At the Mexican Grand Prix that year, although starting from pole, an early clash with Hamilton and later contact with Bottas resulted in a punctured tire, severely compromising his race.

Characteristic Resilience Highlighted in the 2019 Mexican Grand Prix

In the Mexican Grand Prix, Verstappen’s rear tire did not deflate immediately, allowing him to continue driving with a puncture for nearly an entire lap before it came off completely. After pitting, he rejoined the race down in 20th place, trailing 30 seconds behind Romain Grosjean in 19th. Despite this, he utilized a one-stop strategy effectively, steadily recovering positions on the track. When Daniel Ricciardo made his pit stop on Lap 50, Verstappen advanced into sixth place, where he finished the race. This performance demonstrated his ability to manage difficult situations and maximize results even when facing setbacks.

Contextualizing the Current Streak Amid Verstappen’s Career Excellence

Though a three-race streak without a podium may seem significant, many drivers would welcome such a run featuring consistent top-five or top-six finishes, a testament to Verstappen’s high standards and consistent brilliance over recent seasons. The current sequence of results, including two top-five finishes and a fifth, highlights his ongoing competitiveness.

What Lies Ahead for Verstappen in the 2024 Season

Following the podium drought in these recent races, Verstappen has shown the capacity to rebound. In 2019, he returned to the podium immediately after a similar streak, finishing third at the United States Grand Prix. He closed that season strongly with a victory in Brazil and a runner-up position in Abu Dhabi. This weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix marks the start of potentially ending his current podium absence. Fans and experts alike will watch keenly to see whether Verstappen can regain his momentum and mount a new winning streak in the coming events.