Max Verstappen: “I have nothing to prove”

Despite a controversial victory in Abu Dhabi, Dutch driver Max Verstappen reminds us that the championship was played out over a whole season and not just one Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver spoke out on Friday and rejected any claims for evidence following his first world championship title.

(English translation)

« No, I have already proven myself with the highest number of victories [10], pole positions [10], and laps led [652] last year, declares the Dutch driver. « People have forgotten about that. Apparently, they only watch Abu Dhabi, but we have more than just one race in a season, the driver reminds.

Furthermore, Max Verstappen now believes in an improvement in performances. However, he also acknowledges that his records would be difficult to replicate.

“If you look at last season, even during this season, I think we would have had even more wins and pole positions. But you need an extremely competitive car for that. So it will be complicated to reproduce the same scenario. But of course, you always try to do better. So I hope that if we have a truly competitive car, we can achieve something similar,” he confides.

And if being crowned world champion is the ultimate goal for the Dutch, their motivation for the upcoming season remains intact.

« The motivation is the same, if not even stronger because you always want to keep winning, you always want to be in front, isn’t that right? » claims the Red Bull driver, whose contract has been extended until 2028. « Especially after last year. But you know, when I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a Formula 1 driver one day and with a little luck, becoming a world champion, and now it’s happened. That pressure and need for success are gone. But you still want to win races. That’s why I’m here. » Verstappen reveals.