Verstappen takes example from Schumacher and Hamilton: 'It works for me'
- GPblog.com
With 130 races for Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen is the driver with the most races for the Austrian team after the French Grand Prix. The number doesn't do much for Verstappen, but loyalty is important in F1 according to him.
Verstappen and Red Bull
After 23 GP weekends for Toro Rosso, Verstappen made the switch to Red Bull Racing in 2016 and the rest in history. The Dutchman has since won 26 races and last year also one world title. More races are planned with the team, as Verstappen signed on until 2028, so the number of races could just double.
Verstappen cares little about the number of races he has done for Red Bull, but he does recognise the importance of loyalty in this sport. ''For me it (loyalty) definitely works. I feel super good in this team, loyalty is an important part of that cooperation. You are in a very familiar environment where you can really work well together'', Verstappen said prior to the French GP according to the AD.
Loyalty in F1
Loyalty is not always a weapon in Formula 1. It works out better for some than for others, who may need to look elsewhere. Verstappen, however, has never had that feeling. ''I've always had the feeling that it was the right move for me to stay here'', said the reigning world champion.
By taking over Mark Webber's record of 129 races for Red Bull, Verstappen is taking a leaf out of the book of two drivers who hold the record for the number of world titles. Lewis Hamilton, after years of loyal service with McLaren (and one world title), won six of his seven world titles with Mercedes and will drive his 190th GP for that team this weekend. Michael Schumacher won five of his seven world titles with Ferrari, for whom he drove 180 races.