Max Verstappen Rules Out a Repeat as Records Laden Season Leaves Him Emotional

The penultimate race of the season has been raced and another chapter in the book of F1 comes to a close. The incredibly long and rewarding season gave us plenty to talk about, but nothing can compare to what Max Verstappen has achieved in the sport. The mind-boggling record-making season made the Red Bull man a little emotional. However, it did come with a sense of impending doom.

Well, not entirely, the Dutchman will still enter the 2024 season as a favorite. However, this season has been unimaginably successful for him and the team. Repeating this feat would be challenging. 

Max Verstappen makes an honest admission after the 2023 Abu Dhabi GP 

Red Bull secured 21 wins in a 22-race season (the 2023 Emilia Romagna GP was canceled due to sudden floods) out of which Verstappen alone was responsible for 19, which is a staggering win percentage of 86.36%. Let that sink in. They have absolutely smashed the record for the most successful season by a team in a car which was only undone in one race during the extensive season. 

Believing this can be achieved again in the next season would be too ambitious, an assessment others have made as well. So staying realistic and humble, the Dutchman made an honest admission in his final post-race interview as a winner again. 

Verstappen said, “It’s been an incredible season. It’s emotional on the inlap, the last time sitting in the car that has given me a lot. It will be hard to do something similar again, but we definitely enjoyed this year.”

However, he does not expect to repeat the massive feat they have achieved in 2023. “It will be so hard to have another season like this, we know that. We are working hard for the next year to have a very competitive car and will be ready for the battle. But now we’ll enjoy this as well,” he concluded. 

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What he has achieved this year will be talked about for ages, as we can’t imagine anyone breaking this unimaginable record. In fact, the CEO of F1 Stefano Domenicali believes figures like Max Verstappen are necessary for the sport. 

Stefano Domenicali F1 CEO puts massive respect on Max Verstappen’s name 

The CEO pointed out how every sport needs one icon and one figure that becomes the beacon of attraction toward the sport for an entire generation. Currently, Max Verstappen is that figure for Formula 1. 

“If we look at tennis, even as a non-regular spectator, I can easily recall names of past champions who have left their mark on the sport. Similarly, F1 needs pilots who become fixed points for new generations,” he said. “…it is important to have ongoing iconic figures to inspire future enthusiasts.”

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Max Verstappen is proving to be a worthy champion, especially after this incredible season. However, how long can he stay in this commanding position will surely be up for debate.