Max Verstappen: Red Bull driver says 2023 F1 title is his best compared to 2022 and ’emotional 2021′ championships

Max Verstappen became Formula 1 world champion for the third time after clinching the 2023 drivers’ title at the Qatar GP Sprint on Saturday; watch the Qatar Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 on Sunday at 6 p.m., with preparation starting at 4:30 p.m.

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Max Verstappen says he never dreamed it would be possible to win three world titles and insists he hasn’t thought about how many more he could win.

Max Verstappen revealed that this year’s title triumph was his best compared to his previous championships of 2022 and 2021.

Verstappen’s second place in the Sprint and retirement of Sergio Perez sealed a third consecutive title for the Dutchman, who is only the 11th driver to win three championships.

The 26-year-old has won 28 of 38 Grands Prix (74%) since the start of 2022, including 13 of 16 so far this year.

“This one is the best. I think the first one was the most emotional because that’s when your dreams come true in F1. But this one was definitely my best year,” said Verstappen.

“The most consecutive wins and all that, the car itself has probably been in the best shape as well. So for me, this one is the proudest in a way because of its consistency.”

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Max Verstappen’s father Jos says he always knew his son had talent and made the right decisions with him when he was young

With constructors’ champions Red Bull starting this season even further ahead than they finished the last, Verstappen has taken full advantage of an RB19 car with which he is one.

Although teammate Perez shared the wins with Verstappen in the first four rounds, the world champion went on to put together a stunning record-breaking streak of 10 consecutive victories to quickly make his 2023 crowning moment a question of when and not if.

Red Bull has failed to win a single race so far in 2023, the Singapore Grand Prix, and Verstappen never expected to become a multiple champion.

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Red Bull boss Christian Horner says Max Verstappen can consider himself one of the sport’s ‘greats’ after winning his third consecutive world title.

“It’s something I never dreamed of. It’s of course a very proud moment for me, for my family, for all the members of the team I work with. Experiencing all this together is incredible “, did he declare.

“Of course we talk about performance and you can always thank the team for that. I also find the whole atmosphere and how much I enjoy working with all these people, I find that probably even more important.

“It’s very important to come to the track and know that you have nice people to work with.”

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Oscar Piastri keeps his cool to claim his first Sprint victory as Max Verstappen finishes second to secure his third world title

Can Verstappen do even better?

Verstappen is already fifth on the all-time winners list and is just two wins away from his 50th F1 victory. Alain Prost is next on the list with 51 wins, with Sebastian Vettel on 53, Michael Schumacher on 91 and Lewis Hamilton on 103.

The Red Bull driver believes he can operate at his current level for “a few more years” and is still hungry to win more.

“I keep trying to improve. I don’t necessarily think I’ll become a faster driver, but you have a lot more experience in the car,” he said.

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Max Verstappen crowned world champion after Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez crashes in Sprint

“You grow as a driver, you grow so I think as a person in life and I think all these kind of things you know when I compare to my first season in F1, they help you a lot to deal with all kinds pressure, the situations throughout the weekend, everything that may be imposed on you and the difficult conditions for example.

“At the end of the day it’s about trying to perform well every weekend, which I think is very difficult in F1.”

Team principal Christian Horner added: “The way he has driven this year is simply extraordinary. Everything he has done this year has been simply phenomenal.”

“He’s the most competitive driver I’ve ever met. He’s among the best. This season has just surpassed anything we’ve ever seen. We won a lot with Sebastian (Vettel), but it took some time. time.” on another level – and he’s still only 26 years old. I think he will improve further.

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Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz looks back on a thrilling sprint at the Qatar Grand Prix that saw Max Verstappen earn the points he needed to become world champion

Sky Sports F1’s Qatar Grand Prix live schedule on Sunday

Sunday October 8

• 4:30 p.m.: Grand Prix Sunday: preparation for the Qatar GP
• 6 p.m.: THE QATAR GRAND PRIX
• 8 p.m.: Checkered flag: reaction to the Qatar GP
• 9 p.m.: Ted’s notebook

Watch Max Verstappen’s first race as a three-time world champion at the Qatar GP live on Sky Sports F1 on Sunday. The race starts at 6 p.m. with a start from 4:30 p.m. Stream F1 on Sky Sports with NOW for £21 a month for six months