Verstappen reveals Vettel text as he chases F1 record

Max Verstappen has revealed he has received text messages from Sebastian Vettel as he closes in on the record for the most consecutive wins in Formula 1.

Vettel achieved victory at the last nine races of the 2013 season to claim the record, though Alberto Ascari achieved the feat in the early 1950s if ignoring his absence at the Indy 500.

But Verstappen is now on the verge of sharing the record and will start the Dutch Grand Prix from pole position.

The 25-year-old has dominated the opening half of the current campaign and looks to be continuing his unbeatable form at his home round.

Speaking to media including RacingNews365.com, Verstappen said: “I think after five wins in a row, Seb texted me ‘well done, keep it up, you’re going to do it’.

“But nine wins in a row, it’s something very impressive.

“I never thought that I would already be on eight. If it’s possible, of course I will go for it.”

Just here to win

Verstappen has often distanced himself from F1 records and personal tallies, highlighting the point that modern numbers are skewed due to the number of races in a season.

On what it would mean to equal and potentially break the record, the Dutchman explained: “It’s not something I have in the back of my head constantly like ‘I need to do this’.

“I’m not in this sport to try and break records, I’m just here to win.”