<p>Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula One champion, isn’t ready for 2023 to end just yet after a record-breaking year.<img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-288617″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/theindiaprint.com-at-the-season-ending-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-f1-champion-max-verstappen-will-have-the.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com at the season ending abu dhabi grand prix f1 champion max verstappen will have the” width=”1221″ height=”669″ title=”At the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, F1 champion Max Verstappen will have the opportunity to achieve yet another milestone 3″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/theindiaprint.com-at-the-season-ending-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-f1-champion-max-verstappen-will-have-the.jpg 303w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/theindiaprint.com-at-the-season-ending-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-f1-champion-max-verstappen-will-have-the-150×82.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1221px) 100vw, 1221px” /></p>
<p>especially if Sunday’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix offers the chance to achieve yet another milestone.</p>
<p>With one more triumph, he would have 54 career victories, surpassing former Red Bull star Sebastian Vettel to claim sole possession of third position on the all-time record.</p>
<p>Naturally, that’s a really odd number. We had an incredible year, Verstappen said. “I hope not too soon, but it will end at some point.”</p>
<p>After winning his third consecutive championship a few weeks ago, Verstappen is aiming for a record-tying 19th victory of the season (he previously held the record of 15, achieved last year), but he said he is already thinking forward to 2024.</p>
<p>“My primary passion is driving, and the ultimate goal in Formula One is to win,” he said. “But at the same time, I’m totally focused on my immediate goals. Hopefully, we can maintain this momentum and have a competitive car again next year.”</p>
<p>New goals for the next season include tying Vettel and Alain Prost for the fourth F1 championship and catching seven-time champions Michael Schumacher (91 wins) and Lewis Hamilton (103) in the number of race victories.</p>
<p>Verstappen still has plenty of time to bridge the deficit, however, given he is just 26 years old.</p>
<p>What are his 2024 highlights?</p>
<p>“I think that was a crucial one, winning the comeback race in Miami,” he said. “Surviving the difficult race we had in Singapore, where Ferrari won, and winning in Suzuka, Japan.”</p>
<p>Even while Verstappen currently leads Red Bull teammate Sergio Pérez by 276 points, or about the equivalent of 11 victories, it was tight between them going into the season’s fifth race.</p>
<p>Pérez said he was a championship candidate after winning two of the first four races, a statement he reinforced by qualifying first for the Miami Grand Prix in May.</p>
<p>Verstappen began from eighth position and won after a disastrous qualifying run. After that, Pérez never made a full recovery, and the championship was never in question.</p>
<p>Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said, “Max has just been incredible this year; no one thought we could be better than 2022.”</p>
<p>“You have to begin discussing him as one of the biggest names in the game. He still has a long way to go in the race.</p>
<p>bleak period</p>
<p>Charles Leclerc of Ferrari hasn’t won since the July 2017 Austrian Grand Prix.</p>
<p>It’s been a dismal season, to be honest, he remarked. “We wanted to try and fight for the championship after last year, but we realized right away how difficult it would be after the first race this year.”</p>
<p>Leclerc is in peak shape, as seen by his incredible last-lap pass of Perez to finish second in the Las Vegas Grand Prix last weekend. This gives fans optimism for 2024, when he should have a faster, more dependable vehicle.</p>
<p>He said, “There’s a big gap to fill.” “Hopefully, with a car that can win, we’ll return stronger next year.”</p>
<p>Title of Constructors</p>
<p>Red Bull’s hegemony has left others with very little to contend with. But this weekend, at least for Mercedes and Ferrari, there is a stake in the race for second place in the constructors’ title.</p>
<p>Mercedes leads by four points, 392–388; but, Leclerc has finished on the podium in the last two races.</p>
<p>Leclerc said, “Momentum is good, but there is still a lot of work to be done on track.” “We need to unite in order to compete against them and win the constructors’ championship.”</p>
<p>Carlos Sainz Jr., his teammate, is still the only driver not affiliated with Red Bull to win a race this year after winning the Singapore Grand Prix a few months ago.</p>
<p>George Russell, a Mercedes driver, believes that on race day, everything will change.</p>
<p>He said, “We’re going in with an open mind.” “As they have this season, I believe they will have a slight advantage in qualifying, but come Sunday, I think it will be a different story.”</p>
<p>What is the state of jet lag?</p>
<p>It takes about 20 hours to travel the more than 8,000 miles from Las Vegas to Abu Dhabi.</p>
<p>It’s definitely not the best way for weary drivers and crew members to go after a demanding 22-race season.</p>
<p>“Knowing what time zone you’re in can be a little confusing,” Verstappen said.</p>
<p>Not good for the ecology either.</p>
<p>Verstappen said, “It’s a little strange that we were on the other side of the planet before coming here, especially when you’re talking about sustainability.”</p>
<p>It’s most likely not very long-lasting. For the benefit of the human body as well as the emissions.</p>
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