Red Bull’s Max Verstappen has highlighted key moments from his outstanding season in the RB19, specifically noting three races out of the 19 victories that carry special significance. With victories in nearly every Grand Prix in 2023, Verstappen and the Milton Keynes team secured a third consecutive drivers’ title and a second consecutive constructors’ championship.
Reflecting on the season’s high points during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, Verstappen highlighted the comeback race in Miami, the home victory at Zandvoort, and the successful race at Suzuka after a challenging weekend in Singapore.
Despite the overwhelming success, Verstappen was asked about the challenge of maintaining motivation for future achievements. He expressed that his love for driving is the primary motivation and underscored the unparalleled excitement of winning in Formula 1.
Those expecting Max Verstappen to take it easy at the Abu Dhabi season finale were left disappointed. The world champion took charge of the event, wrapping up a year of breaking records with, aptly, more milestones:
• Verstappen clinched victory in Abu Dhabi for the fourth consecutive year, achieving a feat he had never managed before with four successive wins at the same track.
Max Verstappen already clinched a third consecutive world championship in October and earned his record-extending 19th victory on the season in a fitting conclusion to the 2023 campaign.@JonathanBrazeau provides takeaways from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. https://t.co/0HmqNxmUDO
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 27, 2023
• By securing his 54th career win, Verstappen has now exceeded Sebastian Vettel, securing the third position on the all-time win list, trailing only Michael Schumacher’s 91 and Lewis Hamilton’s 100.
“For me, motivation comes naturally as I’m aware that I have a significant chance of winning in most races this year, and that’s truly exciting. It becomes more challenging when you’ve been in that winning position and then find yourself in a race where winning is no longer possible; that’s when maintaining motivation becomes hard or even harder. Finding different sources to sustain that drive becomes necessary”, Verstappen expressed.
However, currently, being at the top makes it probably easier compared to being in the middle of the pack. Alongside securing 19 race wins, Verstappen wrapped up the year with 21 podium finishes, 12 pole positions, nine fastest laps, and a total of 575 points – a substantial lead of 290 points over teammate and closest competitor Sergio Perez.”
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