Red Bull’s Max Verstappen says his third world title, sealed in the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race, is his “best”.
Verstappen finished second to McLaren’s Oscar Piastri to put the championship out of reach with six grands prix remaining in a season he has dominated.
It was his third drivers’ championship in a row, after wins in 2021 and 2022.
Verstappen said: “The first one was the most emotional – that’s when your dreams are fulfilled. This has been my best year.”
The Dutchman said he felt he had been driving on a new level this season compared to previously in his career – a view shared by many within the sport.
“Sometimes I am not happy with the performance or how the weekend was going but I always try to be perfect,” Verstappen said. “I always try to be better every race weekend I go to.
“I analyse my performance race after race and the same this year. That’s why I think this year performance-wise is definitely the best one. The middle one is now the middle one.”
Verstappen’s championship puts him equal with legends of the sport such as Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda, Sir Jackie Stewart and others, and at 26 years of age he has the potential to threaten the all-time records for wins and championships held by Lewis Hamilton.
He said the achievement “sounds great” and was “something I never really dreamed of – it is a proud moment for myself and my family”.
He added: “It is something I never thought was possible, to be in that list. You see what these people have achieved in their careers and now you are alongside them. It is of course an amazing feeling.”
But he added the enjoyment he took from driving for Red Bull was just as important.
“Everyone in the team I am working with – to be able to experience all of this together it is amazing,” Verstappen said.
“Of course we talk about performance and thank the team for that but I find the whole atmosphere and how much I enjoy working with these people even more important. It is important to come to the track and have nice people to work with.”
On 48 career wins, he is likely before the end of the season to move past four-time champion Alain Prost’s mark of 52 victories as the fourth most successful driver of all time, and could also beat Sebastian Vettel’s mark of 53.
Ahead of Vettel are Michael Schumacher on 91 wins and Hamilton on 104. The German and the Briton share the record of seven world titles.
Verstappen said: “Of course I want to win as much as I can. I know from third to second is quite a big gap. It depends on what is going to happen in the next few races.
“I don’t know how long this is going to last. I am enjoying the moment and I achieved more than I ever dreamed of. We will see where we end up but it’s perfect.”
Verstappen and Red Bull have broken a series of records this season. The driver has raised the record for consecutive wins in a season to 10 and the team likewise to 14.
Verstappen has won all but three grands prix so far, with his team-mate Sergio Perez taking two and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz one.
He said he would celebrate on Saturday evening “with a few sparkling waters” but was determined to win Sunday’s grand prix, which he starts from pole position.
Verstappen’s achievement was lauded by senior figures up and down the pit lane.
F1 president and chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali said: “Huge congratulations to Max Verstappen on his incredible achievements this year and to the Red Bull team who have all worked tirelessly to win the drivers’ and constructors’ titles this season. Max is an amazing talent and what he has done this year has been phenomenal.”