Max Verstappen's 'unyielding mindset' propels him to third in Formula 1 all-time wins
- Rob Fleming
- 30 November 2023
In his pursuit of victories, Red Bull's Max Verstappen unveiled the pivotal mindset that fuelled his triumphs, propelling him to the third spot on the all-time Formula 1 win list.
Verstappen's commanding performance saw him secure his third world title during the Qatar Grand Prix on 8 October, seizing a total of 13 victories. The turning point came on that day when his rival, Sergio Perez, met misfortune in the Sprint race, clearing the path for Verstappen's triumph.
Despite sceptics anticipating a dip in competitiveness post the title clinch, Verstappen defied expectations, notching up wins in Qatar, USA, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Las Vegas, and Abu Dhabi.
Surpassing Sebastian Vettel, he now stands third in the all-time win list with 54 victories, trailing only Michael Schumacher (91) and Lewis Hamilton (103).
In response to inquiries by media about his unwavering motivation, Verstappen asserted, "I do think that is just how I grew up. I can't just come into a weekend not giving it all." He emphasized that maintaining such a mindset was crucial not only for personal satisfaction but also to avoid disappointing those around him.
Verstappen shattered his own record of 15 wins in 2022 by amassing an impressive 19 victories in 2023, showcasing the prowess of the dominant RB19.
"My mindset also didn't change after winning the championship. I come to the race weekends, and I always try to do the best I can," Verstappen explained. He underlined the innate desire to seize every opportunity to win, especially when equipped with a stellar car like the RB19.
"Why would I not want to win when you have the opportunity to win? When I see that there is, of course, the opportunity to win, I will always try to do the best I can and also for the team," Verstappen declared.
His commitment to excellence and a relentless pursuit of records not only secured Verstappen's place in the annals of Formula 1 but also highlighted the symbiotic relationship between his unyielding mindset and the cutting-edge technology of the Red Bull Racing team.
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