Death, Taxes, and Max Verstappen

Are F1 fans getting apathetic?

Happy opening F1 weekend, Qualifiers!

We began our 2024 F1 journey in Bahrain, witnessing another clinical display of aerodynamic and piloting perfection. Max Verstappen scored a Grand Chelem achieving pole position in qualifying, the fastest lap in the race and then winning while leading every lap of the race the same weekend.

For Verstappen, that is the fifth time he has achieved that feat, tying him with Michael Schumacher and Alberto Ascari. He is now behind only Lewis Hamilton (6) and Jim Clark (8). Only 26 drivers have ever secured a Grand Chelem, with 68 total.

Here’s the top 10 classification:

1. Max Verstappen 🏆

2. Sergio Perez +22.457s 🥈 

3. Carlos Sainz +25.110s 🥉

4. Charles Leclerc +39.669s

5. George Russell +46.788s

6. Lando Norris +48.458s

7. Lewis Hamilton +50.324s

8. Oscar Piastri +56.082s

9. Fernando Alonso +74.887s

10. Lance Stroll +93.216s

Today, I wanted to talk about the challenges F1 faces regarding fan apathy. While anecdotal, what got me thinking about this topic is the multitude of text messages I rec…