Domenicali: 'Verstappen really puts something special in Formula 1'

Max Verstappen has also surprised Stefano Domenicali. The sporting director of Liberty Media - the owner of Formula 1 - is impressed by the Red Bull Racing driver's focus and attitude.

"Actually, there are not enough words to describe what kind of season he has had and what he is still working on. Max deserves the title. It is impressive how focused he has been since the first day of this season. And I'm sure his attitude will remain the same until the end of the year. With his performance, he really sets something special in the history of Formula 1," Domenicali told De Telegraaf.

Verstappen won 14 out of 17 Grands Prix this year, so there were many highlights. Domenicali remarkably singles out two moments that Helmut Marko had also named as the most exceptional of this season: the third sector of Verstappen's final qualifying lap in Monaco and the first sector of the Dutchman's lap at Suzuka in qualifying.

Standing ovation for Verstappen

"In those two moments, I personally gave him a standing ovation. Max is showing that you can make a difference with pure racing talent. He is still young, so who knows what's to come," the 58-year-old Italian told reporters. Verstappen is currently 26 years old, so when his contract expires in 2028, he will be 31. At that point, he could hold eight world titles, but he would have to win them all in the next five seasons.

If he fails to do so, there is no way back because Verstappen will still only be 31. Yet it is not certain whether the Dutchman will still be driving in Formula 1 in 2029. He has already indicated several times that he might want to do other new things at that time. This is partly due to the full calendar and the many sprint races, which Verstappen is not a big fan of.