2023-10-08 12:32:09
Although no one had doubted for months that Max Verstappen would secure the Formula 1 world title once more this year, the 26-year-old Dutchman was extremely happy to win the title for the third time in a row following finishing second behind McLaren -Rookie Oscar Piastri was official in the Qatar sprint on Saturday. “It’s a very big moment for me, my family and the team,” said Verstappen. “This title is the best. The first one was the most emotional because it makes all your dreams come true. But that was my best year and I’m proud of my consistency.”
Hamilton: “This will be Max Verstappen’s decade”
With his third title win, Verstappen joins the phalanx of the most successful and dazzling drivers in the history of the premier class of motorsport. “Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Jack Brabham, Ayrton Senna – he belongs to this exclusive club. And now he is counted among the legends,” said team boss Christian Horner regarding his protégé. In addition to the drivers listed by Horner, the Brazilian Nelson Piquet also won the Formula 1 world title three times in the 1980s. Daughter Kelly has been in a relationship with Verstappen for several years and celebrated the next title together with the season dominator in Qatar. Only Alain Prost, Sebastian Vettel (4 each), Juan Manuel Fangio (5) and Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton (7 each) have won more World Cup trophies than Verstappen. The 38-year-old Brit, who lost to Verstappen in a controversial heart-stopping final for the title in 2021, is convinced that his rival will follow up with further triumphs. “This will be Max Verstappen’s decade.”
Verstappen: “I’m always trying to improve”
In fact, at least in the next two years until the new engine regulations come into effect in 2026, it is unlikely that anyone will be able to hold a candle to Verstappen in the title fight. Even though McLaren and Aston Martin have proven this year that it is possible to drastically reduce the gap to Red Bull through some successful upgrades, Verstappen seems to be unbeatable in the Red Bull car of this generation – also because he has been in the past has developed enormously as a personality over the years. “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,” explained Verstappen, who is under contract with Red Bull until 2028. “My mindset stays the same. I want to win as much as I can. I don’t know how long this will last, so I’m really enjoying it and living in the moment. I’ve already achieved more than I ever thought.”
Helmut Marko struck gold
One man who has played a large part in Red Bull and Verstappen’s current success is Helmut Marko. In 2015, the 80-year-old motorsport consultant decided to put a 17-year-old teenager without a driving license in the cockpit of a Formula 1 car. After a little more than a year, Marko surprisingly promoted his protégé, who made many mistakes at the beginning of his career, from Toro Rosso to Red Bull during the season. The decision, which was harshly criticized in some quarters, has proven to be a golden move almost ten years later. “Outside the car he is the ideal son-in-law, in the car that changes drastically. Driving at this level every weekend at this age is unique,” said Marko.
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