Max Verstappen makes surprise revelation: 'I deliberately held back'

Max Verstappen has revealed that he has intentionally held back during races this season due to ongoing issues with his Red Bull car. He explained that these problems have altered his risk assessment, leading him to adopt a more cautious approach, especially when not competing for the championship. Verstappen's performance has been impacted by handling and reliability concerns, which have persisted throughout the season.

During qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, Verstappen finished sixth, continuing a trend of frustration for him and the team. He acknowledged that while he strives to maximize his performance, the frequent setbacks have forced him to reevaluate his racing strategy. Despite his frustrations, he remains optimistic about the team's efforts to improve their situation.