Verstappen never feared losing his title

New contract

The Dutchman reiterated his desire to stay with Red Bull for another ten to fifteen years. Horner therefore responded: "I have the papers with me, so we can arrange it straight away. Relationships are not about contracts. Our relationship is very good. Max came to us as a boy and has grown with the team. And Max's best years are still to come."

Only a few hours before the gala Mercedes withdrew the protest. Still, Verstappen did not fear losing his title. "We beat them on the track," says Verstappen. "Nobody could take this away from Red Bull." Horner continued that Hamilton had similar luck in Imola, when an incident caused the Englishman to regain a lap and still finish second. "In a season you have bad luck and luck," Horner said.

Not quitting

Verstappen understands how great Hamilton's disappointment undoubtedly is. "I understand that he is not happy the first few days," says the Dutchman. "At the same time, he has already achieved so much. Next year is another chance for the eighth title. There is no reason for him to quit now." With those last words Verstappen reacts to a statement of Toto Wolff. The latter indicated earlier in the day that het hopes Hamilton will not turn his back on the sport because of this disappointment.

So Verstappen too can now call himself world champion. "It was my life goal to become world champion, but I'm still the same. Nothing is going to change. Only now I have achieved what I wanted to achieve and everything that follows is a bonus."

Party

Verstappen has already celebrated his world title. The evening after the race there was a big party. "I had one drink.... One too many. I woke up at 12 or 1 and had filming. But I had a massive headache. I'm ready for a break though. It wasn't easy to stay perfect all season."

Verstappen world champion, how does that sound? "It sounds really good. But it was mainly the road to this title. Then you think about all the build-up to the moment of becoming world champion."