John N
Although Max Verstappen had a long flight home after his triumph at the Suzuka, he didn’t have much time to celebrate. He had already planned to return home to spend time with his family and friends before his next race in Austin.
Between brief interviews—Verstappen only had time for a quick team photo, debrief, and calls with family members. Racing drivers rarely stop to think about their accomplishments.
You’re only as good as your last lap. But Verstappen allowed himself to take it all in: This season has been remarkable—whereafter three races, he was 46 points behind championship leader Lewis Hamilton but then went on an incredible winning streak of 13 races in 17 tries. He also broke the record for most wins in one season (14) with two more rounds to run!
Though Red Bull didn’t win a title between 2014 and 2020, they remained operationally shrewd throughout, and alongside building a mighty car for the new-for-2022 regulations, that has been one of the fundamental reasons they have been so relentlessly successful this year. Another has been the power unit in the back of the car.
Though it is now under the Red Bull Powertrains banner, courtesy of a brand-new division and massive investment from the energy drinks firm, however honda continues to play an integral role – and it’s their constant development from one year to the next that has given Red Bull the grunt to fight at the sharp end.
Verstappen has been key to their success. Having joined the team back in 2016, winning a race on debut with them in Barcelona, he has set about building a dynasty that is showing shoots similar to that of Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, and Sebastian Vettel before him at Red Bull.
But he knows it’s more than just about him – about the people around him and how everyone gels together to work toward the same goal. “That [building something special] is what we’re trying to do,” he says.
Working with Honda has been great. I’m looking forward to seeing how our relationship develops. Thanks to the team back at the factory and those contributing to the powertrains division. They have been working flat-out, and nobody is lacking motivation, and that’s how I like to see it.
Max Verstappen says that Red Bull has become like a second family to him. He explains: “Red Bull were already world champions before I joined. We had a tough time initially, but I always believed in the project. The whole team we have – back at the factory designing the car combined with the powertrain division – we have a great group of people who I think can be successful for quite a few years. It goes higher than me to ensure we find the right people and put them in the right position.
Everyone gets on well and understands their role. Honda and now coming into our powertrains division, it’s about understanding how to work together. Implementing the two together has been strong for us in recent years. Verstappen’s second title has been impressive because he won two races during his debut season in 2016, but he won five this year – matching Michael Schumacher’s record.
Last year, he fought tooth and nail to the season-ending race and clinched the title on the season’s final lap, edging out Lewis Hamilton. This year, after a slow start, he has gone on an extraordinary run of form that has made the title a formality. It’s no wonder, then, that each championship feels different.
“The first one was very emotional because you realise you have achieved everything in the sport you wanted to achieve,” he says. “The second one, because of the season we have had, is probably more rewarding. It’s very different feelings, which I think is great because it would be a bit boring if they were the same.”
Winning that first title helped Verstappen become more relaxed, resulting in him pulling back slightly on his all-out attacking approach by the smallest of margins. Doing so has also made him a more potent force, making him feel satisfied with what he has achieved thus far in his career.
Having a fast car, with a well-functioning team working behind the scenes, has made life easier for him—but he still had to deliver. “You grow as a person every year,” he says. “I learn a lot from every year what has happened at every race; you try to improve as a driver.”
Although he won no titles in his first few years on the track, Verstappen believes that experience has helped him in future races. At 25 years old, he still has plenty of time left in F1—his fellow double world champion Fernando Alonso is still racing at 41.
And although Alonso might have more championships under his belt than Verstappen does at this point, Verstappen’s current form and Red Bull’s momentum suggest he could quickly rack up titles.
“I don’t see myself driving until I’m 40 because I want to do other stuff,” he says. “I’m having a lot of fun with what I’m doing now – I’m still in for a few more years; I’m signed until ’28. After that, it depends on how everything is going. I will try to do a few different types of racing, as it’s important to try other things.
“Numbers have never been important; I really enjoy the moment. I have already enjoyed being part of this team for a long time and hopefully also for a long time. I believe we can be strong for a couple of years with all the people we have now.”
