Max Verstappen insists he is not interested in Lewis Hamilton's records as he told his Formula 1 rival not to bother looking over his shoulder.
Only Michael Schumacher can match Hamilton's record of seven world titles, while the Brit is out on his own in terms of career race wins, podiums, pole positions and a swathe of other records. Verstappen still has some way to go, but is catching at pace.
His victory in Monaco last weekend put him on 39 career F1 wins at the age of 25, while he is the favourite to have a third championship sewn up this year. At this pace, he could be threatening those Hamilton records as he approaches the end of his current Red Bull contract.
"No, I don’t think he needs to look over his shoulder," the Dutchman said when asked if Hamilton should be worried by Robb Report. "He has achieved so much in the sport."
Verstappen went into a little more detail when posed a similar question in the FIA press conference in Barcelona on Thursday. He added: "I just want to keep on doing what I'm doing. Of course, I need to have a good car – I don't know how long that will last but hopefully, of course, for a while.
"I constantly want to try to improve myself every single year. Sometimes that works out better than at other races. I've said it many times, my goal was to win the championship and I did that – now it's about enjoying the moment that you're in.
"I try to win as many races as I can but I've never been someone who was trying to break records. It's also important to have a good time and hopefully work with the people I'm working with for a very long time as well."
His Red Bull team has won every race so far this season and looks well placed to complete one of the most dominant F1 seasons ever. Hamilton, whose Mercedes team has not been competing for regular wins since 2021, voiced his concern last month that it might be a long time before anyone can catch the runaway leaders.
"It's just unfortunate that we still see the same sort of gaps between the teams," he said. "I don't know what the solution is for the future, but we are going to have to adapt to these regulations. Otherwise it could be the same as it is now for years."
