World champion Max Verstappen: “This title is the best”

Max Verstappen became only the fifth driver to achieve three titles in a row - and in Qatar he made his ascent into the circle of the greatest in motorsport. “Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna – he belongs to this exclusive club. And now he is considered one of the legends,” said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. Traditionally, the World Cup is only handed over at a gala after the end of the season. But Verstappen earned it six races before the end, something that only the German Michael Schumacher managed in 2002. A second place in the sprint on Saturday evening confirmed what everyone had known for months: the 26-year-old is the superior driver in the best car. “It is a very proud moment for me, my family and the team,” said Verstappen: “This title is the best. The first was the most emotional because it is where all your dreams come true. But this was my best year and I’m proud of my consistency.” Verstappen showed no weaknesses throughout the year, kept his nerve even in difficult situations and demoralized the competition in moments when they briefly felt hopeful. “Against the background of stable regulations and given his performances, I expect that Max is far from finished with victories,” said Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. The ex-world champion said what the majority in the horsepower scene thinks. Because there is no end in sight to Verstappen's oppressive dominance. He was the first to win ten times in a row. This is also why record world champion Lewis Hamilton predicted in the desert in the north of Doha: “This will be Max Verstappen’s decade.” Hamilton and Schumacher are still the most successful drivers in Formula 1 history with seven titles each. But the ambitious Verstappen could change that. “I'm still very young, I still have many good years left in me to be at the best level. It’s more about how long I want to be here,” said Verstappen, who is not thinking about quitting. His contract with Red Bull runs until the end of 2028. “I’m always trying to improve. I don't think I'll become a faster driver, but you grow as a driver and a person," he said: "My mindset stays the same. I want to win as much as I can.” As a person, Verstappen has hardly changed as a result of his successes, and at the moment of triumph he was also unusually thoughtful. “I don’t know how long this will go on, so I’m really enjoying it and living in the moment,” he said of his success streak: “I’ve already achieved more than I ever thought.” He also thanked his team, because the successful defense of the title in this form was only possible thanks to the interaction with the best racing team around design genius Adrian Newey. Two weeks ago in Japan, Red Bull was once again crowned constructors' world champion. “Outside the car he is the ideal son-in-law, inside the car that changes drastically,” said Red Bull’s motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, praising Verstappen’s maturation process. As a 17-year-old, he even entered the world's largest racing series without a road license and underwent a special development over almost ten years. “There was no downturn, no mistake,” said Marko and praised the exceptional qualities of his top driver: “To drive at this level every weekend at that age is unique.” However, the lack of competition is damaging for Formula 1. Instead of exciting action like in 2021, when Verstappen only won the world title ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the last race, there is too often boredom. “Of course I would like to see more competition in the spirit of Formula 1,” said Verstappen: “But I don’t need another team or a teammate to get the best out of myself.” It is up to the pursuers to close the big gap to Red Bull. “Of course I hope that it will work in 2024. I will do everything for it,” said British Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton.

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World champion Max Verstappen: “This title is the best”

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