Verstappen: “I think I really deserved this title”

A few months after the end of the 2021 season and a few days before the presentation of its new car, Max Verstappen takes a deep dive into their historic battle for the title. Rival of a seven-time world champion Formula 1, the Dutchman did not let himself be defeated in the face of a Lewis Hamilton looking for a new record to break. 

Over a 22-race season, Max Verstappen clearly dominated the championship. 10 victories, 10 pole positions and 18 podiums. His consistency and maturity in racing made him a champion on the last lap of the last race of the season in Abu Dhabi: “ It's crazy, he told the English newspaper The Guardian. This is what we had worked for my whole life. It's always been my dream. Once you cross the line, you realize you finally have it, this title. I jumped out of the car and all the mechanics and my dad were running towards me ».

However, this season was not the easiest, and the title almost escaped him narrowly. Max Verstappen claims his relationship with Hamilton deteriorated as the season progressed. Moreover, he shows no emotion when asked what he would have felt in his rival's place: “For me, it's difficult to imagine myself in this situation, because I'm not a seven-time world champion. If I had already been a seven-time world champion, it would have hurt a little less than my first, which I led throughout the year. »

ALSO READ > Lewis Hamilton announces his return

Also, he returns to the controversy after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. “I didn't think the title could be taken away from me (…) All night we waited and then the result came out. I had a very good season and I think I really deserved it. » He adds that for him the championship should have been decided much earlier in the season.

The driver who opted for No. 1 in 2022 on his car, thus returns to the collision at Silverstone with Hamilton “It was hard in terms of points but literally, it was very painful. My neck, my back, my shoulders. I'm pretty durable and I can take a beating; but it's not good for your body or your brain to have an impact like that. »

He also details his return to normal after this accident: « I came home and for four days I didn't watch TV or do a simulator because the brain must also rest. »