Max Verstappen says anything he achieves in Formula 1 from now on will be a “bonus” after sealing a maiden title in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Verstappen beat season-long rival Lewis Hamilton in a winner-takes-all finale at the Yas Marina Circuit, sensationally completing a last-lap pass on the Mercedes driver to win the race and clinch the drivers’ championship.
Having lost the lead to Hamilton at the start, Verstappen’s title hopes looked bleak entering the closing stages as he had a gap of over 10 seconds to race leader Hamilton.
But a late safety car period allowed Verstappen to close right up behind Hamilton and launch an attack on the final lap, resulting in the Dutchman becoming the fourth-youngest world champion in F1 history.
In the aftermath of his title victory, Verstappen reaffirmed his belief that winning a first world crown would not be a life-changing moment for him, adding he’d achieved everything he’d set out to do since making his F1 debut in 2015.
“No, my life will not change now,” Verstappen said. “I’m of course very happy that I won the championship.
“That’s the final achievement that I wanted in Formula 1, so everything else that comes now is a bonus.”
He added: “Of course I will continue driving, but in terms of achievements, I have achieved everything in Formula 1 now.”
After just one full-season of racing in single-seaters, Verstappen was promoted to F1 with Toro Rosso at just 17 years old, and became the youngest driver to win a race at the following year’s Spanish Grand Prix.
Verstappen was shown sharing a quiet moment with his father and ex-F1 driver Jos near parc ferme, who – after his own career ended -shifted his focus in helping his son become a racing driver.
“It all flashes through your head now, especially with my dad travelling around all of Europe [racing go-karts] for that one goal,” Verstappen said.
“The first was to be in Formula 1, to hope that you can win a race and hear the national anthem. But then the ultimate goal was the world championship, which is very hard to achieve.
“But now that happened. It’s just insane. To have all my close family, friends, my dad, my manager, my girlfriend all here, that makes it extra special.”
Verstappen also confirmed he planned to use the #1 on his car for his title defence in 2022, marking the first time a driver has used the number since Sebastian Vettel in 2014.
“Yeah, I will run it,” Verstappen said. “How many times can you do that? I don’t know, maybe it’s the only time I can in my life.
“I think it’s the best number out there. I will definitely put it on the car.”
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