Max Verstappen has insisted that in Formula 1 you “need to be lucky” to stay at the front, with that only being possible by having a “great car” for several years.
In the recent history of Formula 1, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and now Verstappen have all enjoyed periods of dominance, something which they’ve only been able to do thanks to having the best car.
Whilst all four drivers are exceptionally talented, countless victories can only be claimed if the package they’re driver is just as good.
For example, Hamilton wouldn’t have become a seven-time World Champion if it weren’t for switching to Mercedes in 2013, with the Silver Arrows having been unstoppable from 2014-2020 in the Drivers’ Championship.
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The same can be said currently for Verstappen, as Red Bull are so much stronger than every other team.
Verstappen has never been a driver primarily focused on breaking records, in fact, he admits that after he won the 2021 title, he said to himself that everything from then on is a “bonus”.
However, some have started to ponder whether he could eclipse Hamilton and Schumacher’s seven titles, considering that he’s contracted to Red Bull until the end of 2028.
In theory, he could be an eight-time World Champion by then, although he’s not counting on this.
It’s not something he’s actively pursuing as he knows that his dominance continuing for many more years is “very dependant” on the car he has.
In terms of his F1 dreams, he’s already achieved them all at the young age of 26 years old.
“If it happens, it happens,” Verstappen told The TImes.
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“But you need to be lucky to be in a great car for a longer period of time. You’re very dependent on the material you have.
“When I won my first title, I said, everything that comes next is a bonus because, realistically, in F1, I’ve achieved everything that I wanted to achieve.
“Being on the podium, having a pole position, winning a championship. These kinds of things were my dream to achieve in Formula 1. From now on, I’m just, yeah, trying to stay on top.”