Soon-to-be three-time world champion Max Verstappen retorted Toto Wolff during the pre-event press conference in Singapore. The Mercedes team boss was unimpressed by Verstappen breaking Sebastian Vettel and (arguably) Alberto Ascari’s record of nine consecutive Grand Prix victories, saying it was a stat “for Wikipedia and nobody reads that anyway”.
The Dutchman was his typical unfaltered self, although the couldn’t resist to take a little jab in return.
“I’m not disappointed in that, but they had a pretty shit race, so he probably was still pissed off with their performance,” he started off his response. “I don’t know, he almost sounds like he’s an employee of our team sometimes, but luckily not!”
He did admit he was surprised Wolff wasn’t more appreciative of the flawless effort, given Mercedes’ dominance in the past.
“I think it’s just important that you focus on your own team. That’s what we do as well. That’s what we did in the past as well, when we were behind them and when they were dominating. And I think you should be able to appreciate when a team is doing really well, which I think we’ve done in the past, because it worked also as a kind of inspiration.
“To see someone that dominant was very impressive at the time and we knew that we just had to work harder and try to be better and try to get to that level. Now that we are there, we are very happy of course and we are enjoying the moment.”
A record extending 11th victory could be achieved in Singapore, but until now Verstappen hasn’t made the top step of the podium, in contrast to his teammate who won here last year. But the prospect of adding an extra win to his record doesn’t change his approach.
“I never really looked at the number – eight, nine, ten. I just always want to do the best I can.
“So naturally every single weekend, it’s basically the same amount of pressure you put on yourself to try and get the best result out of it. Nothing really changes actually from that side.”
