Verstappen: More titles in F1 would 'just be a bonus'

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Reigning F1 world champion Max Verstappen says that any additional titles that may come his way in the future will just be added bonuses that he will enjoy.

Last month in Abud Dhabi, Verstappen conquered – albeit in controversial circumstances - his maiden F1 crown, achieving the milestone in his seventh year in the sport, having started his path to glory with Red Bull in 2015 at just seventeen.

Ahead of last month's 2021 title decider, Verstappen revealed that missing out on the championship wouldn't change his life.

However, with his first title now under his belt, the Dutchman ambitions to win more although he admitted that equaling or beating the outstanding seven-title record held by his arch-rival Lewis Hamilton would require "a bit of luck".

"Everything that comes now is just a bonus and I am just going to enjoy it," Verstappen told former F1 driver David Coulthard in an interview for personal sponsor CarNext.

"You need a bit of luck to fight for seven or eight. You need a very dominant team as well to do that so you don't always have that luck or you are not in that era. Sometimes it doesn't happen."

Read also: Verstappen reveals prime motivational thought on race day

Regardless of what the future may hold, Verstappen has achieved what he initially set out to do when he joined the elite in F1.

The twenty-time Grand Prix winner will now see just how far his career will take him.

"For me, I always wanted to win one and you will see where you go from there," he said.

"Everything that comes now is a bonus but that doesn't mean that if I lose a race... I will still be upset, but maybe a few minutes after I will say 'it's ok'."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.