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Congratulating Lewis Hamilton on his seventh world title, Max Verstappen refused to be carried away by the fight for the crown.
In difficult conditions, Hamilton emerged from sixth on the grid to win Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix with a half-minute lead over his closest rival, Sergio Pérez.
Verstappen, one of several drivers who turned around for the day, was only able to drive P6.
Hamilton’s victory, the 94th of his Formula 1 career and the 10th of 14 races this year thus far, closed a seventh Drivers’ Championship title for the 35-year-old.
Bringing his points tally to 307, the Briton has an unassailable 110-point lead with just three races remaining.
The Hamilton Drivers ‘title came just one race after Mercedes clinched a seventh consecutive Constructors’ Championship at Imola.
Verstappen says Hamilton and Mercedes “fully deserve” their success.
“It was pretty obvious that he was going to win, but it’s amazing,” the Red Bull driver told Sky Sports F1.
“It was a very strong push, of course, also today and yes, he is now the best driver in Formula One. [history], in terms of stats anyway.
“A great result also for the whole team, they have been so dominant that they deserve it.”
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With a total of 78 points still at stake, Verstappen could still finish this season as runner-up in the standings.
The Dutchman is 170 with Valtteri Bottas just 27 ahead.
Verstappen, however, has made it clear many times in the past that “it is not interesting to be third or second, that, for me, does not count.”
Instead, he wants a world title of his own.
When asked how much he would love to fight Hamilton for the Drivers’ title, he replied: “Yes, of course, but I think this is not the time to talk about that now.”
Formula 1 heads to Bahrain for a double game before the season ends at the Yas Marina circuit with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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