Horner sees Verstappen has stayed the same after first title

Max Verstappen took his first world title in Formula 1 last season. The Dutchman gave immediately after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that a world title would not change him. In any case, the results have remained at least as good and also Christian Horner notes that he is still working with the same Verstappen as in 2021.

Max remains the same Max

In an interview with the Algemeen Dagblad Horner let it be known: "There is a pressure from his shoulders. Because he really has felt it, he has dealt with it phenomenally. But that mantra of: I must be world champion, he is relieved of that. That experience has enriched him. But in the base he is exactly the same Max. His ambition and motivation have not diminished, he races with the same heart and dedication."

The team boss of the Austrian racing team still sees a very tormented Verstappen in the Red Bull car. He is now the driver within Red Bull with the most podiums behind his name: namely 66. But that's not what the 24-year-old Dutchman is doing it for. He wants to conquer more world titles in the coming years in Formula 1.

Horner: "Of course he is not doing it for one world title. But that first world title is the most important one. That is on his resume, forever. And with world titles it works like this: you want it again, and again, and again. It's addictive." Red Bull itself will also be hoping for a constructors' title. The Milton Keynes-based team's last title in that championship dates back to 2013.

How long will Verstappen last?

Mathematically, the Dutchman could continue in Formula 1 for at least another fifteen years. With that, he seems to have enough years ahead of him to take more world titles than Michael Schumacher did in his F1 career. However, Verstappen recently indicated that he may have already signed his contract in the premier class of motorsports. In an interview, he did not rule out stopping at the highest level after 2028.