Max Verstappen‘s triumphant 2023 F1 season has etched itself into the annals of racing history, a tale marked by tenacity, rivalry, and an unexpected wellspring of motivation. He managed to outclass his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, and win the title by nearly a margin that is twice more than Mexican’s total tally. The Dutchman shared an unconventional source of inspiration.

The Dutchman showcased unparalleled dominance, securing victory in an astounding 19 out of 22 races and amassing an impressive 575 points. Setting a new record with ten consecutive wins, Verstappen now stands as the third driver with the most wins in F1 history, trailing only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. In contrast, his teammate has won only 2 races.

Perez has won six races in his career and out of those six, five were on the street tracks. He also holds a strong track record at almost every street circuit. Thus, he earned the ‘king of the streets’ moniker, a label rooted in the Mexican’s prowess on urban circuits. Verstappen shared that this nickname has been the source of motivation for him. Speaking to Motorsport Spain, Verstappen said;

It just motivates me more to prove that it’s not like that. It’s actually a wrong motivation for other people, but it doesn’t scare me.

Acknowledging the media buzz around Pérez’s nickname, Verstappen remains undeterred, recognizing the inevitability of heightened expectations.

Certain media, for example from Mexico or Spanish-speaking media, naturally hype it up. People naturally expect a title fight anyway. Discover: David Coulthard takes Red Bull-RB19 for a spin at Silverstone, claims he ‘could’ve won’ the F1 title with it

Max Verstappen asserts that consistency is the key to win championships

The early races of the season hinted at an open championship, with both Red Bull drivers claiming victories. However, following the Miami GP, Verstappen’s dominance was unassailable, clinching ten consecutive victories until the Singapore GP. Carlos Sainz briefly disrupted his reign at Marina Bay, but Verstappen promptly resumed, securing seven more wins to conclude the season. Speaking about this, Verstappen said:

At the beginning of the season, we never have the tracks that suit me. Those circuits only come later in the year.

Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez (Credits: Sky Sports)

While Pérez voiced his title aspirations for the next season, Verstappen maintains a pragmatic perspective. He asserts that you need to believe that you can do it yourself. Verstappen added;

It’s just that at the end of the day, there are a lot of races during a season, to be champion, you have to be very consistent, you can hardly make mistakes. Ultimately, a championship is won like that.

Beyond mere statistics and triumphs, Verstappen openly recognizes the struggle of sustaining motivation in less competitive races. He emphasizes the necessity of refining specific details, showcasing a dedication to excellence that extends beyond the excitement of securing victories on the track.