ABU DHABI.- After a year of records, the Formula 1 champion, Max Verstappenis not yet ready to finish 2023. Especially since it could reach another milestone in the last Big prize of the year in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
With another win he will bring his career victory total to 54 to surpass Sebastian Vettel in third place in history.
“Of course it is an incredible number. We had a crazy year,” Verstappen admitted. “It will end at some point, but I hope not soon.”
Verstappen confirmed his third consecutive title weeks ago and It seems that he will take his record of victories in a year to 19 —last year he set the previous record of 15— although he acknowledged that he is already thinking about 2024.
“I love driving, that’s the first thing and winning is the best thing in Formula 1”, he assured. “At the same time I am focused on what’s next and hopefully next year we will have a competitive car and keep the pace.”
Next year they will have new goals: get their fourth F1 title to tie Vettel and Alain Prost and get closer to the number of victories of the seven-time champions Michael Schumacher (91 wins) and Lewis Hamilton (103).
But Verstappen is only 26 years old and has many years left to close the gap.
Your best moments of 2023?
“Winning back in Miami was incredible“I think that was important,” he said. “Winning in Suzuka (Japan) after the complicated race we had in Singapore (when Ferrari won).”
Verstappen left Pérez well behind:
It’s hard to believe now, but Verstappen has a 276-point lead over his teammate, the Mexican. Sergio Perezalthough in the fifth race of the year the competition was closed.
After winning two of the first awards of the year, Pérez declared himself a contender for the title —a statement he supported starting from the first position in Miami in May.
Although Verstappen had problems in qualifying and started ninth, he won. The Mexican never recovered.
FOUNTAIN: AP
