Max Verstappen has urged his Red Bull team to remember the importance of their recent success in Formula 1 as he closes in on a second world title. After claiming only occasional victories between 2016 and 2020, Verstappen took 10 victories in the 2021 season to claim the World Championship - and has gone even better this term, winning 11 of the first 16 races. He enjoys a 116-point lead in the standings after a fifth successive win at the recent Italian Grand Prix, and can also break the record for most wins ever in an F1 season, which is currently set at 13. Despite the success, Verstappen has reminded the team to remember how important their success is - and to also enjoy it.
Verstappen on 'amazing' year
"It's amazing what we are experiencing within the team," Verstappen told media, including RacingNews365.com , following a 31st win of his F1 career at Monza. "I think we are having an amazing year, and it's important to enjoy it as well. "We've had a lot of different challenges at different kinds of tracks. "Now the car really seems to work at every track. We are extremely pleased." Red Bull is on course for a first Constructors' crown since the 2013 season as Verstappen and Sergio Perez have combined for 545 points - a healthy 139 clear of nearest challengers Ferrari.
'Go-karting success was different to F1'
Like most other drivers, Verstappen started out with a successful go-karting career - and while he enjoyed that success, he says it is different. "My final year in karting, which was better," he said. "It's very different in terms of feelings at the time, your goal is Formula 1. "So you're enjoying what you're achieving, but you also think there's such a long way still to go before you get to Formula 1. "It's a bit of a different way of excitement and what you feel but that final year in go-karting was nice."
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