Verstappen makes bold claim over title triumph

Max Verstappen believes his latest F1 Drivers' title is his best yet given his dominance across the campaign.

The Red Bull driver had won 13 of 16 races before the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, knowing a top-six result in the Sprint would secure a third title at the earliest opportunity.

Dutchman Verstappen would finish second in the Sprint - his crown having already been secured Sergio Perez crashed out in a three-car meleé, before cruising to a 14th win of the season in the Grand Prix.

He has become just the fifth driver to win three titles in succession [Juan Manuel Fangio, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton on four and Michael Schumacher's five-in-a-row] and feels that his latest triumph must be considered the best in a year he set the record for the most consecutive race wins at 10 between Miami and Italy.

Verstappen ranks titles

"When I started racing, the ultimate goal was... if you have the opportunity to win a title, that's incredible," Verstappen explained to Channel 4.

"At the end of the day, if you win one or seven [titles], it is the same thing - there is no real extra value to it.

"But of course, it is nice that we are in this winning streak and you keep on winning. That is exactly what I am here for.

"I grew up with winning, that is what defines the sport, and I just try to enjoy the moment and do it for as long as I can."

Verstappen's latest crown followed the trend of his first two in being secured in unusual circumstances.

His maiden title was won in the controversial circumstances of Abu Dhabi 2021's Safety Car restart while there was a rules confusion about full or half points at the wet Japanese GP in 2022, but the Dutchman feels his 2023 title is the best one yet.

"The beatuy of it is that the titles have very different feelings," he added.

"The first one was very emotional because that where I was like: 'Okay, I achieved my goal, that's it.'

"The second one, now, because of the third one is just in the middle because this one (2023) is definitely the most dominant one and probably the best one in terms of performance.

"That is something I can be proud of together with the team. The season we are having is pretty incredible."

What do you think? Which one of Max Verstappen's three titles is his best? Let us know in the comments below and by voting in the poll!