Max Verstappen celebrates his fourth world championship victory – The fact that the Red Bull driver is aiming for the record seven titles one day is “not something he set out to do”
A fifth place at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix is enough for Max Verstappen to clinch his fourth world championship title. Is the Dutchman now even going for the record of the two seven-time world champions Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton? “It’s not something I set out to do,” Verstappen clarifies!
“Of course, if it happens, it happens,” the 27-year-old would not be averse to further world championship titles. ”But I am already very proud of winning the world championship four times. I mean, at the end of the day, it’s the same whether you win one title or seven, right?”
On the other hand, Verstappen also admits that it is “of course very nice” to be able to repeat the World Cup success a few times. “And of course I know that on this other occasion, even though we didn’t have the fastest car, we still won, so I always know that I’ll give it my all when I’m in the car.”
Verstappen emphasizes that he has “developed as a driver” in recent years and has “definitely become more versatile”. “In a way, I’m obviously also very excited to see what we can achieve next year,” says the Dutchman, looking ahead. “Of course, at the moment it’s impossible to say how competitive we will be. I’m just enjoying the moment.”
“I think he has the potential [for seven world titles], that’s for sure,” says Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. ‘But it depends on other factors. As you know, this sport is about man and machine, so we have to make sure that we provide him with the machines to be competitive.’
Red Bull was ‘under a lot of pressure’
To be able to celebrate your fifth consecutive world title, you need “that momentum,” says the Red Bull driver. “You have to have the right team to be able to do it over a long period of time.” And because Verstappen knows exactly what makes his long-standing Formula 1 team tick, he does not rule out his fifth world title next year.
“I know the team won’t give up. There are a lot of very competent people I really enjoy working with,” says the Dutchman, who was linked to a move to Mercedes several times this year. Also because things didn’t always go smoothly in the 2024 season.
“I know it was hard for them too. They were under a lot of pressure this year,“ the Dutchman recalls the strong 2023 season, when Red Bull won almost every Formula One race and could only beat itself.
”Everyone is working together towards one goal”
“And when you come from a season like last year, where we basically broke all the records, and then at some point you start struggling with the car and you don’t really seem to understand what’s going on or what’s wrong, then it’s important to stay calm and try to solve the problem.”
“Everyone on the team has their own emotions to deal with. So in a way, it’s also a people management issue, because everyone reacts a little differently to good or bad results.”
“But that’s also something I enjoy, because everyone has their own character, but we all have to work together towards a goal,” the four-time world champion talks about the situation in the team. ‘I’m very proud of how everyone stuck together in those very tough races where we were a little bit lost.’
Verstappen remains optimistic for 2025
“When we came back to the factory, there was a lot of analysis,” Verstappen says of the period a few weeks ago when the team was going through a long dry spell. ”I think when we came to Austin, after we really understood our problems from, say, Monza, we were already seeing an increase in performance and a lot of ideas for next year.”
“There are a few things we couldn’t change this year, so that’s something for next year, and I just hope it makes the car more driveable and generally more competitive, of course,” the Dutchman believes that there could be another step forward next year.
“But of course I also know that the others aren’t sleeping, and I think it will be a big fight next year,” says Verstappen, looking forward to the chase for his fifth world championship victory. ‘But as I said, even if you’re not the fastest, you can achieve a lot by continuing to optimize your results.’
