13 February 2023 , 22:12
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Max Verstappen says he doesn't care about how he ranks against other Formula 1 greats – but is hungry to add to his already extensive collection of silverware.
At the age of 25, the Dutchman is already a double world champion. He also has 35 race wins and 77 podiums to his name, and looks well placed to add many more to all those totals.
He smashed a number of season records last year on the way to one of the most dominant title victories ever. Among his most notable achievements were the most wins and points ever accrued by a driver in a single campaign.
While he still remains some way off the seven titles won each by Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher, Verstappen can match some other legends this year with another championship success. Ayrton Senna, Jackie Stewart, Jack Brabham, Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet are the sport's three-time champions.
Not that he cares about such things. When pointed out that he is well on the way of making more F1 history, the Red Bull star told reporters: "I think I already achieved more than I could ever dream of, so for me I always just try to get the best out of myself.
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"I don't really think about where I am between all of the all-time greats in terms of championships or wins. I just want to do my job. I, of course, know I have a contract though 2028, so I want to try and win more with this team – more races and potentially championships.
Verstappen remains some way off Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton's record (Getty Images)"But I've never really been a guy that likes statistics, or whatever. I always want to come out of a race weekend and tell myself that I gave it all and that I really extracted everything out of myself, because then I'm happy. Then also, once you stop racing, if I can look back at my years in Formula 1 and say, 'Did I really get everything out of it?' and if I did and I can say 'Yes' to myself, then I'm happy."
Nico Rosberg recently declared his belief that Verstappen has already secured his place as one of the sport's greatest. The 2016 champion said : "He is an incredible driver. It is easy to say now he is going to be one of the best of all time which, even now, he already is if you look at the statistics.
"A double world champion with all the race wins that he has, more than [Fernando] Alonso now as well, so he is already one of the best of all time. He is only getting started so he is going to confirm that in the next decade. It is just incredible, his level of driving is just phenomenal. It is great to witness that."