For weeks now, the stakes for Max Verstappen had been absolutely nothing. Yet the three-time world champion kept pushing, always on the hunt for more. His victory in Abu Dhabi was the 19th Grand Prix win of the '23 season, again in very dominant fashion.

Nothing to slow down, always trying to be the best. For not every athlete, this is a given. So often, champions let go of the reins after they have taken the spoils. How do you do such a thing? For Max Verstappen, the answer is simple: "I think this is exactly how I grew up. I can't just go into a weekend where I don't give everything. I just get irritated with myself and I know the people around me get irritated with me if I would be like this."

Verstappen thinks winning is 'great'

It is that mentality that makes Verstappen so good against his competition, world title in his pocket or not. "My mentality didn't change after winning the championship either. I come to race weekends and of course always try to do my best. And it's fun. You know winning is great. Why wouldn't I want to win if you have the chance to win?"

"If I see that there is obviously a chance to win, I will always try to do my best and also for the team. When you have such a good car, you want to try to improve certain records and do well."

In Abu Dhabi, Verstappen drove his 1,000th lap in the lead this season. He already indicated that he consciously adjusted his strategy to achieve this unique fact.