Newly crowned three-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen has been told that he’s only “14%” responsible for his success, by Dutch columnist Bert Wagendorp.
Sergio Perez crashing out of last weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix sprint race secured the 2023 Drivers’ Championship for Verstappen, something which was set to happen regardless given his ridiculous lead in the standings.
Verstappen celebrated winning a third crown by securing a 14th victory of the season in the main race, which he started on pole position for.
The 26-year-old has simply risen to an untouchable level this year, which has seen him break the record for most consecutive victories.
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Given that there are five races still remaining, Verstappen is also expected to break his own record for most wins in a season, something he only claimed last year after winning 15 events.
Whilst most have been left stunned by Verstappen’s brilliance, Wagendorp thinks that the Dutchman has Red Bull to thank.
The columnist believes Verstappen has won three consecutive titles due to having had the best car for the last three years as well as the best engine.
Wagendorp also claims that Red Bull’s superior design in the new aerodynamic regulations has allowed Verstappen to be so successful.
To put a figure on it, the columnist believes that Verstappen’s success is only “14%” down to him.
“That [14%] is an average. We can assume that that average is a lot lower among Verstappen’s competitors,” Wagendorp wrote in his column for De Volkskrant.
His comments likely won’t bother the Red Bull driver, who is intent on improving further despite being so dominant currently.
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“I try to look at things that I can do better and I try to improve as a driver, which I think is also great because you have all this success, right?” Verstappen told Sky Sports.
“But every single year you learn and you become better as a driver, not necessarily faster, but probably you can handle situations a bit better because of your experience and you learn from your difficult moments, your good moments.
Verstappen added: “I think as a driver you have them all, you have bad moments, good moments. That’s what makes this sport, I think, also so beautiful.”