Newly-crowned three-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen labelled his 2023 title as the best of his three, after wrapping up proceedings in Qatar’s Sprint Race.
Verstappen was mathematically assured of the crown after team-mate Sergio Perez was eliminated from Saturday’s 19-lap race after tangling with Esteban Ocon and Nico Hulkenberg.
Verstappen went on to finish the race in second spot, behind McLaren driver Oscar Piastri.
“This one is the best one,” said Verstappen. “I think the first one was the most emotional one as that’s when your dreams are fulfilled in F1, this one has been my best year, yeah, so far, consecutive wins and stuff.
“The car itself has been probably in the best shape, yeah, for me this one is probably, the one I’m most proud of because of consistency.
“[Three titles are] something of course I never really dreamt of, of course a very proud moment for myself, my family, my close family, yeah, I think everyone within the team I’m working with to be able to experience all of this together is amazing.
“I said it on the radio [on the in-lap]; we talk about performance and can always thank the team for that but I find the whole atmosphere and that I enjoy working with these people more important, it’s important to come to the track and know you have nice people to work with.”
Verstappen referenced wins in Miami, Belgium, the Netherlands and Japan as highlights of the season and quipped that he was “smiling” while driving a qualifying lap that was “on rails” last time out in Japan.
Verstappen, who turned 26 last month, was reluctant to look too far into the future while celebrating his third title.
“I don’t know how long this is going to last,” he said. “I enjoy the moment, I achieved more than I could dream of or any goals I wanted to achieve in F1, right?
“I’m loving the moment; we’ll see where we end up but it’s way more than I thought I could achieve, so it’s perfect.”
