Max Verstappen is now a three-time world champion, joining the ranks of Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Nelson Piquet, and Ayrton Senna.
Verstappen, the new world champion, hopes to stay with Red Bull for the rest of his Formula 1 career.
Max Verstappen secured his third consecutive drivers’ championship at the Qatar Grand Prix. He is driving the RB19 car, which has been incredibly strong and is poised to break several records.
Verstappen joined Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso in 2016 and quickly moved up to the main team. Since then, he has achieved 49 victories, making him Red Bull’s most successful driver in terms of race wins.
His Red Bull contract runs until 2028, but he mentioned that the car’s quality will determine if he stays longer.
“It would be a beautiful story if I could drive here forever, that’s for sure, something that will be amazing,” Verstappen told Sky Sports F1.
“I’m really happy with where I am. I feel at home, I feel really happy with the people who are very close to me here in the team.
“For me, this is not something that I need to seek. I have a few more years left on my contract anyway, so I’m just enjoying the moment.”
Verstappen wants to keep getting better and stays motivated even though he is dominating the sport right now.
Verstappen won his first title in 2021 by narrowly beating Hamilton. In 2023, Verstappen has been dominating the races, leaving Leclerc behind.
Asked if he prefers a closer contest to what he has experienced this season, Verstappen said: “Yes and no. I mean, yes, to fight different teams.
“But on the other hand, I also really challenge myself. I really try to get the best out of myself every single weekend.
“I try to look at things that I can do better and I try to improve as a driver, which I think is also great because you have all this success, right?
“But every single year you learn and you become better as a driver, not necessarily faster, but probably you can handle situations a bit better because of your experience and you learn from your difficult moments, your good moments.
“I think as a driver you have them all, you have bad moments, good moments. That’s what makes this sport, I think, also so beautiful.”
Verstappen could have a chance to match or even surpass the record of seven championships currently held by Hamilton and Schumacher if he continues competing after 2028.
He has said that records do not motivate him. His passion for competing will determine how long he continues to race.
Asked about the prospect of going on to win more world championships, Verstappen said: “No, for me, that’s not really what I’m after.
“I’m just, like I said, enjoying the moment. I try to do the best I can. Of course, you’re very dependent on your material as well that you get in F1.
“I’ll do it as long as I like it and that I, you know, when I look at myself in the mirror and I can tell myself that I’m fully committed and 100 per cent going to go for it.
“Once that day arrives where I can’t be fully committed anymore, that’s where I’m going to stop, because then you’re not in it anymore.
“I find passion is incredibly important to be successful, because every time I come to the track, I want to win, I want to try to do the best I can.”
World of sports 
Leave a comment