Dominant seasons “only happen once or twice in your career” – Verstappen

Max Verstappen does not expect the dominant season he is enjoying will be repeated often in his career.

The Red Bull driver has won 10 of the 12 grands prix so far this season and is on course to win the world championship for the third year in a row. With 10 rounds remaining he has a strong chance of breaking the record of 15 victories in a single season which he set last year.

Charles Leclerc said today he doubts Red Bull’s rivals will get on terms with them before new rules are introduced in 2026. Verstappen isn’t concerned about the possibility of having a closer fight with the competition, but doubts his current dominance will last for years to come.

“I would rather, of course, have a very straightforward race all the time,” he said at Zandvoort today. “But that only happens maybe once or twice in your career, in a year – that you have a season like that.

“But again, we are also racing drivers, once the teams are a lot closer you are racing and for me that’s also fine. But of course it’s always a bit more relaxing to win it more comfortably.”

Red Bull are undefeated so far this year and Verstappen could equal the all-time record for most consecutive grand prix wins – nine – if he succeeds at home this weekend. Verstappen continued to play down the possibility they could become the first team to win every event in a single season.

“Honestly I don’t think we really think about it too much because we just want to look ahead and try to always bring the best possible car to the track,” he said. “I think everyone is always trying to prepare in that way. Of course we want to win here, that is no secret.”

Verstappen has also been undefeated at his home race since it returned to the calendar in 2021. The weather forecast indicates this weekend’s event could be affected by rain which he said could make it more difficult for him to complete a hat-trick of victories at Zandvoort.

“We’ll just try to keep on doing the same thing, that would be nice. Of course, after a break, you never know how you get back into things. Also at the track and the weather, what is forecasted I think is always a bit more tricky.

“But we’ll see. We have a quick car, but it’s about putting everything together to have a really strong weekend.”

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2023 Dutch Grand Prix

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