Max Verstappen celebrated his third successive Formula 1 drivers’ title with five gin and tonics.
The Dutchman sealed the title at the sprint race in Qatar two weekends ago after dominating the 2023 season.
And he admitted at the team’s post-race debrief that the celebrations had been in earnest after the sprint race before further cementing his championship status by dominating the main race on the Sunday.
The 26-year-old joked he had sweated out his drinks in the intense heat in Losail.
Verstappen, who also admitted the celebrations had continued in earnest on the Sunday night, said in the debrief at the team’s Milton Keynes headquarters: “I had a few gin and tonics on Saturday night. They definitely came out during the race on Sunday!”
Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has a mantra of “work hard, play hard” at what is one of the most successful teams in global sport.
And Verstappen readily admitted: “We want to win all those races but also really enjoy it.”
This weekend at the United States Grand Prix, he is bidding for a 15th race win of the season and he is edging ever closer to Sebastian’s Vettel haul of 53, which the 49-time grand prix could yet seal before the season’s end.
He has an unassailable 209-point lead in the championship standings with five races remaining including this weekend’s at the Circuit of Americas in Austin.
