Max Emilian Verstappen - 2023 Formula 1 World Champion - was a foregone conclusion for some months now, in the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint Race on Saturday the Red Bull driver did enough to seal the title and it's only Round 17 of 22.
As it stands, Red Bull claimed the 2023 F1 Constructors title already in Japan, now Verstappen's 407 points atop the 2023 F1 drivers' standings are unassailable. The double is already bagged. And the records have tumbled.
Notably, adding a sense of calm and purpose to Verstappen's campaign was his Red Bull race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, who turned the 'wild child' Max once was into the ruthless winning machine he has become.
Ten GP victories in a row record, the most ever by a driver belongs to Verstappen. He made 13 GP wins this season so far and starts today's race in Lusail, from pole and clear favourite to make it 14 wins, and the 49th of his F1 career.
Below is the full transcript of the 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Champion's press conference, at the end of a famous night in Qatar.
Q: Max Verstappen you are a three-time world champion. How good does that sound?
MV: I mean, of course it sounds great. It's something I never even really dreamt of. It's, of course, a very proud moment for myself, for my family, my close family. I think everyone within the team I'm working with, you know, to be able to experience all of this together is amazing. And I said it on the radio already on the in-lap. Of course, we talk about performance and, you know, you can always thank the team for that, but I also find the whole atmosphere and how much I enjoy working with all these people, I find that probably even more important. It's very important to come to the track and know that you have nice people to work with.
MV: I mean, of course it sounds great. It's something I never even really dreamt of. It's, of course, a very proud moment for myself, for my family, my close family. I think everyone within the team I'm working with, you know, to be able to experience all of this together is amazing. And I said it on the radio already on the in-lap. Of course, we talk about performance and, you know, you can always thank the team for that, but I also find the whole atmosphere and how much I enjoy working with all these people, I find that probably even more important. It's very important to come to the track and know that you have nice people to work with.
Q: Of your three titles, where do you rank this one?
MV: This one is the best one. I think the first one was the most emotional one, because that's when your dreams are fulfilled in F1. But this one is definitely… It has been my best year. Yeah, well, so far, you know, consecutive wins and stuff like that, and the car itself has been probably in the best shape as well. So for me, this one is probably the one I’m most proud of in a way because of consistency.
MV: This one is the best one. I think the first one was the most emotional one, because that's when your dreams are fulfilled in F1. But this one is definitely… It has been my best year. Yeah, well, so far, you know, consecutive wins and stuff like that, and the car itself has been probably in the best shape as well. So for me, this one is probably the one I’m most proud of in a way because of consistency.
Q: Throw it back to the start of the year. When you first drove the RB19 in testing, did you know instantly that this was the car that could take you to your third title?
MV: It's always difficult to say. I mean, it always felt nice. And I thought it had good balance. But you never know what the other teams have come up with over the winter time. And we really expected it to be close into Bahrain. But I think we were all positively surprised with how good the car was there. But that's one track. And, of course, when you go to the next tracks, and you can see, you know, the cars always been quick, and especially in the race, like we always had really good race pace, I think that's, of course, always very promising. And yeah, throughout the year we did… I think we had a lot of great results in tough conditions as well, where it was easy to make a mistake as a team, even if you would have a dominant car. But yeah, I think for most of the races, we just did an incredible job.
MV: It's always difficult to say. I mean, it always felt nice. And I thought it had good balance. But you never know what the other teams have come up with over the winter time. And we really expected it to be close into Bahrain. But I think we were all positively surprised with how good the car was there. But that's one track. And, of course, when you go to the next tracks, and you can see, you know, the cars always been quick, and especially in the race, like we always had really good race pace, I think that's, of course, always very promising. And yeah, throughout the year we did… I think we had a lot of great results in tough conditions as well, where it was easy to make a mistake as a team, even if you would have a dominant car. But yeah, I think for most of the races, we just did an incredible job.
Q: At what point in the season did you know you had the title in your hands?
MV: Well, not until this point, right? But no, of course the momentum was growing and race after race the gap was getting bigger. So I was just, you know, looking at myself, just trying to go through every single weekend trying to get the best out of it. That for me at that time is more important than dreaming about the title, because dreaming doesn't really bring you anywhere. It's about the effort and work you put in to try and achieve your goals.
MV: Well, not until this point, right? But no, of course the momentum was growing and race after race the gap was getting bigger. So I was just, you know, looking at myself, just trying to go through every single weekend trying to get the best out of it. That for me at that time is more important than dreaming about the title, because dreaming doesn't really bring you anywhere. It's about the effort and work you put in to try and achieve your goals.
Q: Christian Horner says you're operating at a level he's never previously seen. Do you think you've raised your game this year, to a new level?
MV: I keep trying to improve. And of course, I don't necessarily think I have become a faster driver, but you have a lot more experience in the car. You grow as a driver, you grow also, I think, as a person in life. And I think all these kinds of things, when I compare to my first season in Formula 1, they help you a lot in terms of just dealing with every kind of pressure situation throughout the weekend, you know, everything that might be thrown at you and in difficult conditions, for example. And in the end it's all about you know, trying to deliver every single weekend, which is I think very hard in Formula 1.
MV: I keep trying to improve. And of course, I don't necessarily think I have become a faster driver, but you have a lot more experience in the car. You grow as a driver, you grow also, I think, as a person in life. And I think all these kinds of things, when I compare to my first season in Formula 1, they help you a lot in terms of just dealing with every kind of pressure situation throughout the weekend, you know, everything that might be thrown at you and in difficult conditions, for example. And in the end it's all about you know, trying to deliver every single weekend, which is I think very hard in Formula 1.
Q: Where have you felt the most pressure this year, which race?
MV: It’s a good question. I don't know. I mean, it has to also do with track conditions or whatever. For example, the race in Zandvoort, when you're driving on slicks and it's raining, and I know of course I normally enjoy driving in the wet, but I also know that I'm leading the championship and if I go off and I'm stuck, you know, you lose a lot of points. So naturally, you're always driving a little bit under the limit, but that can be, in a way, dangerous as well. So probably when I was out there on slicks, you feel a bit pressured. Sometimes there are people behind you that are a bit faster, because they have nothing to lose. So it's a very different mindset as well that you're in when you are fighting for a championship.
MV: It’s a good question. I don't know. I mean, it has to also do with track conditions or whatever. For example, the race in Zandvoort, when you're driving on slicks and it's raining, and I know of course I normally enjoy driving in the wet, but I also know that I'm leading the championship and if I go off and I'm stuck, you know, you lose a lot of points. So naturally, you're always driving a little bit under the limit, but that can be, in a way, dangerous as well. So probably when I was out there on slicks, you feel a bit pressured. Sometimes there are people behind you that are a bit faster, because they have nothing to lose. So it's a very different mindset as well that you're in when you are fighting for a championship.
Q: When you look back at the season as a whole, can we just talk about some of the highlights? Best win?
MV: It's a few. I think my win in Miami, I really enjoyed. Spa, Zandvoort, but also Suzuka, like, winning the Constructors’ for example with the team there was fantastic. It's difficult to really pick one to be honest.
MV: It's a few. I think my win in Miami, I really enjoyed. Spa, Zandvoort, but also Suzuka, like, winning the Constructors’ for example with the team there was fantastic. It's difficult to really pick one to be honest.
Q: What about the most satisfying pole position?
MV: Probably Suzuka. Yeah, I've had a few. I mean, OK, maybe it didn't count but the one in Spa probably that I enjoyed – those kinds of conditions where you really have to pull it out of the bag. But yeah, in Suzuka the car was on rails. It was unbelievable to drive. And, you know, while driving, I was smiling and that's quite rare in a qualifying lap.
MV: Probably Suzuka. Yeah, I've had a few. I mean, OK, maybe it didn't count but the one in Spa probably that I enjoyed – those kinds of conditions where you really have to pull it out of the bag. But yeah, in Suzuka the car was on rails. It was unbelievable to drive. And, you know, while driving, I was smiling and that's quite rare in a qualifying lap.
Q: What about the best team performance we've seen from you and Red Bull Racing this year?
MV: Almost every weekend to be honest. I can't pick one. And a lot of different tracks and difficult situations. I think we managed to do a great job, so yeah, I can't pick one race over the others.
MV: Almost every weekend to be honest. I can't pick one. And a lot of different tracks and difficult situations. I think we managed to do a great job, so yeah, I can't pick one race over the others.
Q: And Max, how much more can you achieve in this sport? How many more titles have you got in you?
MV: Depends a lot also on the package, right? That's how Formula 1 works. Personally, I'm still young even though I'm already in F1 for a while. Yeah, definitely, I have quite a few more years in me to be able to operate at my best. But yeah, we'll see how long that is. To be honest, I think it's more about how long I want to be here. That's different.
MV: Depends a lot also on the package, right? That's how Formula 1 works. Personally, I'm still young even though I'm already in F1 for a while. Yeah, definitely, I have quite a few more years in me to be able to operate at my best. But yeah, we'll see how long that is. To be honest, I think it's more about how long I want to be here. That's different.
Q: Final one from me. We still have five races left, the championship is in the bag. Does that change your approach to what we've got left this year?
MV: Not really. For example today, I know, of course, that I only needed to score three points to win the championship but I still want to win, I'm still out there to try and do the best I can. That's got to be the same tomorrow. When I go to the next race I will try to win again because we are having a great car. I know that people around us are catching up maybe a little bit. So here and there it becomes quite tight. But the mindset is pretty much the same. I mean, it's not like suddenly you go more risky in any kind of battle. I think I'm quite happy with what I'm doing at the moment.
MV: Not really. For example today, I know, of course, that I only needed to score three points to win the championship but I still want to win, I'm still out there to try and do the best I can. That's got to be the same tomorrow. When I go to the next race I will try to win again because we are having a great car. I know that people around us are catching up maybe a little bit. So here and there it becomes quite tight. But the mindset is pretty much the same. I mean, it's not like suddenly you go more risky in any kind of battle. I think I'm quite happy with what I'm doing at the moment.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Adrian Rodriguez Huber – Agencia EFE) Max, congratulations. I can believe it's going to be a party tonight and you deserve it. But knowing that there's nothing you like more than winning, this year, with the good package you have, you can out-score score Alain Prost’s victories and also you could reach Sebastian Vettel. Is this your goal right now?
MV: Yeah, of course I want to win as much as I can. I know that from third place to second is quite a big gap. So I hope maybe in my career I might end up somewhere there in the middle. That would be nice. But I don't know, it depends a lot on what's going to happen in the next few races and the next few years as well. I don't know how long this is going to last. I'm enjoying the moment and I think that's also very important. I’ve achieved more than I could have ever even dreamed of, or set any goals that I wanted to achieve in F1, right? So I'm loving the moment. We'll see where we end up but it's already way more than I ever thought I could achieve. So it's perfect.
MV: Yeah, of course I want to win as much as I can. I know that from third place to second is quite a big gap. So I hope maybe in my career I might end up somewhere there in the middle. That would be nice. But I don't know, it depends a lot on what's going to happen in the next few races and the next few years as well. I don't know how long this is going to last. I'm enjoying the moment and I think that's also very important. I’ve achieved more than I could have ever even dreamed of, or set any goals that I wanted to achieve in F1, right? So I'm loving the moment. We'll see where we end up but it's already way more than I ever thought I could achieve. So it's perfect.
Q: (David Schneider – Hershey Shiga Global) Max, congratulations first of all, you mentioned the package. How would you rate Honda's contribution to this third championship?
MV: It's massive. It's the chassis together with the engine that allows you to achieve these kinds of things. I'm very happy to work with Honda. I always have been. They are amazing people, they’re always super polite but also super motivated and always willing to listen and of course willing to improve. And so yeah, they will always have a special place in my heart even when, of course, they leave at the end of ‘25. But for now, let's just enjoy the moment together. And yeah, I'm very proud also for them, from where we started as a team together and where we are at now. I think we can all be very proud of that.
MV: It's massive. It's the chassis together with the engine that allows you to achieve these kinds of things. I'm very happy to work with Honda. I always have been. They are amazing people, they’re always super polite but also super motivated and always willing to listen and of course willing to improve. And so yeah, they will always have a special place in my heart even when, of course, they leave at the end of ‘25. But for now, let's just enjoy the moment together. And yeah, I'm very proud also for them, from where we started as a team together and where we are at now. I think we can all be very proud of that.
Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autosport) Max, I wondered, were there moments this season where you felt like you were sending a message to your opposition? For example in Miami, you've already mentioned you had that terrific race performance, only one week on from what seemed like a slightly frustrating weekend in Baku. Then at Suzuka, you had that shock defeat in Singapore, you were first out of the pits in practice. You were massively clear on your first lap there. You won the race very handsomely. I just wondered, has it felt like at times you've wanted to send a message to your rivals?
MV: No, not at all. I'm always out there just trying to do the best I can. And, yeah, of course sometimes I'm not happy with the performance or how the weekend was going but I always tried to be perfect and I try to become better every single race weekend that I enter. Of course in some of them you maybe learn a bit more than others. But overall, yeah, for example Baku, maybe it was not fantastic that I didn't win the race but I learned a lot and sometimes that's more important than actually winning a race because from there onwards, of course, we had a great run. Then yeah, Singapore wasn't good but we were very motivated, of course, to do a good job again in Japan because we knew that we would have a strong car there.
MV: No, not at all. I'm always out there just trying to do the best I can. And, yeah, of course sometimes I'm not happy with the performance or how the weekend was going but I always tried to be perfect and I try to become better every single race weekend that I enter. Of course in some of them you maybe learn a bit more than others. But overall, yeah, for example Baku, maybe it was not fantastic that I didn't win the race but I learned a lot and sometimes that's more important than actually winning a race because from there onwards, of course, we had a great run. Then yeah, Singapore wasn't good but we were very motivated, of course, to do a good job again in Japan because we knew that we would have a strong car there.
Q: (Luke Smith - The Athletic) Max, on the radio after you crossed the line Christian rattled off the names of the other three-time World Champions and he said, it's not a bad list. I know you're not really one for records but in terms of the names you're joining, and maybe going to now surpass in the years to come, do you think about the legacy that you're going to leave in Formula 1 or is it still very much focused on the here and now?
MV: I find it always a tricky one because I'm not in Formula 1 to leave a legacy in a way. I'm here to win and I'm here to try to do the best I can and try to enjoy the moment with the people who helped me achieve these things. That's, for me, way more important than trying to leave a legacy. But yeah, it's something that I never thought was possible, to be in that list. When you see those names, you're like, wow! that's incredible what these people have achieved in their careers and now you're alongside them. It is, of course, an amazing feeling.
MV: I find it always a tricky one because I'm not in Formula 1 to leave a legacy in a way. I'm here to win and I'm here to try to do the best I can and try to enjoy the moment with the people who helped me achieve these things. That's, for me, way more important than trying to leave a legacy. But yeah, it's something that I never thought was possible, to be in that list. When you see those names, you're like, wow! that's incredible what these people have achieved in their careers and now you're alongside them. It is, of course, an amazing feeling.
Q: (Phil Duncan – PA) Max, firstly, how do you intend to celebrate tonight? And do you think that might have any bearing on tomorrow's Grand Prix? And secondly, I don't want to keep going back to it but obviously you’ve won three titles in three years, you've wrapped them up pretty speedily, you must be looking at Michael on seven, Lewis on seven and thinking I can get there. I could get to eight.
MV: The first one, yeah, I guess quite a few sparkling waters tonight but I'll be here tomorrow! Yeah, to be honest, the second one… it's a bit different to some other sports where you can really set out targets and you’re like, if I just keep myself in a good shape then these kind of things are possible or whatever. In F1 it doesn't always work like that so I just live in the moment. And like I said before, I've already achieved way more than I ever thought I would.
MV: The first one, yeah, I guess quite a few sparkling waters tonight but I'll be here tomorrow! Yeah, to be honest, the second one… it's a bit different to some other sports where you can really set out targets and you’re like, if I just keep myself in a good shape then these kind of things are possible or whatever. In F1 it doesn't always work like that so I just live in the moment. And like I said before, I've already achieved way more than I ever thought I would.
Q: (Arjan Schouten – AD Sportwereld) So shortly after your title, you’re already talking about tomorrow and about the remaining races that you want to perform, that you want to win. I didn't expect anything else but do you fear that there will become a moment in your life that that insatiable hunger is not there anymore?
MV: For sure. Yeah, I think that that's normal. I don't think that someone will… Of course, I'm still very young but at one point I think you've had enough. I think everyone at one point has that if that is because you realise that your body can't handle it anymore in some sports then you have to accept that. And you have to just, in a way retire, but for sure, at one point, you might want to do other stuff or race a bit less, absolutely. But not right now.
MV: For sure. Yeah, I think that that's normal. I don't think that someone will… Of course, I'm still very young but at one point I think you've had enough. I think everyone at one point has that if that is because you realise that your body can't handle it anymore in some sports then you have to accept that. And you have to just, in a way retire, but for sure, at one point, you might want to do other stuff or race a bit less, absolutely. But not right now.
Q: (Rebecca Clancy - The Times) Max, congratulations. Do you think you could ever go back to being the underdog and still enjoying F1? Or do you think you'll only really enjoy it now that you're winning and winning these championships after such a period of domination?
MV: Depends how far back on the grid… I know, of course, there will be a time when you're not winning but yeah, probably when you're driving P15 and maybe not. But if you’re still fighting up front, trying to win races and you have this prospect of coming back to the top, for sure.
MV: Depends how far back on the grid… I know, of course, there will be a time when you're not winning but yeah, probably when you're driving P15 and maybe not. But if you’re still fighting up front, trying to win races and you have this prospect of coming back to the top, for sure.
Q: (Ben Hunt – The Sun) Max, I just want to get your immediate feelings having won this year compared to 2021, which we know was waiting and finding out whether Mercedes were appealing. Last year, we had rumblings of cost cap and all that nonsense. How does it feel just to win this one straight out and in this moment right now?
MV: Well, it has nothing to do with that to be honest because I think it's more about when you look at the performance of the years, because in ’21, people always talk about the last race, but I think a championship is won over the whole season, right? The same in ‘22. So yeah, a little hiccup in Japan that takes a few more minutes to find out if your champion or not. For me, those kind of things, they don't really matter. I think I analyse my performances race after race and not only the race; how I handled leading up to run plays and stuff, or what I did off the track. And the same this year and that's why I think this year is performance-wise, definitely the best one. The first one has been the most emotional one. The middle one… is now the middle one.
MV: Well, it has nothing to do with that to be honest because I think it's more about when you look at the performance of the years, because in ’21, people always talk about the last race, but I think a championship is won over the whole season, right? The same in ‘22. So yeah, a little hiccup in Japan that takes a few more minutes to find out if your champion or not. For me, those kind of things, they don't really matter. I think I analyse my performances race after race and not only the race; how I handled leading up to run plays and stuff, or what I did off the track. And the same this year and that's why I think this year is performance-wise, definitely the best one. The first one has been the most emotional one. The middle one… is now the middle one.
Q: (Alex Kalinauckas – Autosport) A similar note to what Ben was just saying, the difference between all three of your titles. In 2021 you fought against Mercedes all the way to the end. Last year, it was against Ferrari, OK, their challenge fell away. This year, your only rival really was within your own team and even that didn't last very long. How did it feel not having to really go against another team this year?
MV: Well, of course for F1 you would like to see more competition, but for me, I don't need any other team or like a team-mate to get the best out of myself. I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself to always try and be the best I can, try to prepare in the best possible way. That's what I enjoy and that's the only thing that I really look at.
MV: Well, of course for F1 you would like to see more competition, but for me, I don't need any other team or like a team-mate to get the best out of myself. I'm putting a lot of pressure on myself to always try and be the best I can, try to prepare in the best possible way. That's what I enjoy and that's the only thing that I really look at.
Q: (Luke Smith - The Athletic) Max, is it a bit of a shame that you don't get your hands on the World Championship trophy for another six weeks or so? You're given that P2 plaque by the FIA president in Parc Fermé but would you rather get your hands on the trophy for being the World Champion there and then?
MV: It’s OK, they look the same. I have two at home so they're not changing. It's just one extra name on it. But it's OK, I can wait a little bit. Yeah, I got one next to my sim rig and one next to the TV.
MV: It’s OK, they look the same. I have two at home so they're not changing. It's just one extra name on it. But it's OK, I can wait a little bit. Yeah, I got one next to my sim rig and one next to the TV.
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