Max Verstappen hopes that winning his third consecutive title in the Formula 1 World Championship will not lead him to receive the "Athlete of the Year in the Netherlands" honor for the third time in a row. The 26-year-old Red Bull driver received this local accolade in 2016, 2021, and 2022, but he stated to reporters at the Qatar Grand Prix that he is not a fan of such awards.
He rejected comments suggesting he is the best Dutch athlete of all time, even surpassing football legend Johan Cruyff. He said, "I don't want comparisons. Everyone was amazing in their own sport. I am happy and proud to be Dutch." He added, "As a country, we should be proud; it doesn't matter who is the best athlete or the second best athlete. Every year we have this kind of awards for Athlete of the Year. Why? I don't even want to win it."
Verstappen only needs three points in the upcoming race in Qatar to clinch the World Championship for the third time after a season in which he has completely dominated, achieving 13 victories in 16 races so far, including ten consecutive wins, which is a record.
