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via Reuters

via Reuters

The only thing that can stop Max Verstappen currently is himself. The Red Bull driver has dominated the race track and decimated his rivals. Moreover, he broke the record for most race wins in a calendar year, which is currently 14. Max can still add to the tally if he wins the remaining two races.

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The Dutch Lion picked up from where he left off last season. With new regulations in play, Red Bull nailed their car, and Max driving it was the cherry on top of the cake for them. After an early season fight with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Verstappen quickly changed gears and raced to the championship post-summer break.

Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has said that Verstappen is the “complete package” as a driver. He analyzed Max’s record 14th victory in Mexico. The Brit said, “The feeling at Mercedes departed very quickly when the dominant Dutchman started from pole position and managed to drive convincingly in the lead. Nobody expected Mercedes to have to give up so quickly.” [Translated from Google]

The Red Bull driver crushed any hopes of a Mercedes victory after his pit stop. He cruised past Hamilton in his medium set of tires, while Lewis opted for the hards. Furthermore, he has also warned his rivals looking to put up a title fight next year.

READ MORE: “Say It Loud-Sir Lewis Hamilton Was ROBBED”: Team LH44 Wage War Against Max Verstappen & Co. As Recent Red Bull Agenda Triggers Major Uproar

He added, “Verstappen just has the complete package now and his wins don’t even show his total dominance and skills. For the drivers who hope to challenge Verstappen next year: you really have to go to the extreme or hope that the Dutchman will take it easy. Verstappen has hardly any weaknesses at the moment.”

Max Verstappen does not believe his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton elevated his level

It is not uncommon to see rivals praising each other for helping them to reach the next level. Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi have done it, Rafael Nadal even cried in Roger Federer’s last match despite being the Swiss GOAT’s arch-nemesis. However, Max Verstappen does not believe Lewis Hamilton helped him reach another level.

USA Today via Reuters

Max said, “I don’t know, for sure you push yourself even more to the edge. But it’s always important, and even my dad told me you don’t need anyone else to push yourself to the limit.”

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He further added, “You should always push yourself and ask yourself how you can be better. So I don’t think anyone else pushed me to another level.”

Max also broke Lewis’ record of accumulating the most points in a calendar year.

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Max Verstappen is just entering his peak and has won two titles. It will be interesting to watch if either Mercedes or Ferrari are able to bounce back from this season’s disappointment. Can Lewis Hamilton break Max’s winning run?