Verstappen is already thinking ahead after title: 'The mindset is the same'
F1 News
And that's three! Not that anyone doubted it would end any differently, but Max Verstappen really does now have his third consecutive world title in his pocket. If the Dutchman was not already among the best drivers in Formula 1 ever, he undoubtedly will be after the 2023 season. What all F1 followers are going to wonder: how many championships will Verstappen win?
What a year it was for the Red Bull Racing driver; an almost constant succession of highlights. "There are a few," Verstappen said about it, in the packed press room of the Losail International Circuit. "I think my win in Miami I really enjoyed. Spa, Zandvoort, but also Suzuka, winning the Constructors, for example, with the team there, I think was fantastic. It's difficult to really pick one, to be honest."
Asked about which pole gave him the most satisfaction this season, Verstappen had to think hard. "Probably Suzuka. I've had a few. Ok, maybe it didn't count, but the one in Spa, probably I enjoyed those kinds of conditions where you really have to pull it out of the bag but Suzuka, the car was on rails. It was unbelievable to drive and while driving, I was smiling. That's quite rare in a qualifying lap."
Verstappen is already thinking ahead
While the big party was yet to be celebrated, a relatively relaxed Verstappen was already philosophising about the future. The Dutchman is in such good form that it is not a crazy thought that more world titles will follow in the coming years. How many? "It depends a lot also on the package, right? That's how Formula One works. Personally, I mean, I'm still young, even though I've been in F1 for a while. I think I definitely have quite a few more years in me to be able to operate at my best, but, we'll see how long that is, to be honest. I think it's more about how long I want to be here. That's different."
The season is not over yet, with six more Grands Prix to go. For Verstappen, nothing changes in his approach, even though he now has the title. "Not really. For example, today, I know, of course, that I only need to score three points to win the championship, but I still want to win. I'm still out there to try and do the best I can. That's got to be the same tomorrow."
"When I go to the next race, I'll try to win again because we've got a great car. I know that people around us are catching up maybe a little bit, so here and there, it becomes quite tight, but the mindset is pretty much the same. It's not like suddenly you go more risky or in any kind of battle. I think I'm quite happy with what I'm doing at the moment."