The secret of Verstappen's success: how he grew up
When Max Verstappen retires from Formula 1 at some point, it won't be the victories and records of his superlative 2023 season that he will remember most. Rather: "I think just the team spirit," he said when asked about his success in the final race of a memorable and historic year for the 26-year-old Dutchman in Abu Dhabi.
With Red Bull, he dominated this season like no other driver in motorsport's premier class has ever dominated a year. He won 19 out of 22 races and finished second twice, with Verstappen only missing out on a podium finish in Singapore in fifth place.
At the Grand Prix on the Yas Marina Circuit, he completed the 1000 leading laps, taking his total for the year to 1003. With his 54th career victory, he is third in the all-time list, ahead of Sebastian Vettel (53) and behind Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes (103) and Michael Schumacher (91).
The will to win is simply in his blood
However, it is not so much the victories, leading laps or poles that he would remember, but the fun with the team, emphasized Verstappen. Winning is great, of course, but it is also very important to have a good atmosphere.
Despite all the fun, winning and the unconditional will to win every race is simply in the blood of the son of former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen. Although he had already been crowned world champion after the sprint in Qatar, Verstappen went on to win the following six Grand Prix.
"I think that's simply because of how I grew up. I can't go into a weekend and not give it my all," he emphasized. "I would get annoyed with myself and I know the people around me would get annoyed with me if I did that."
Source: www.dpa.com
