After every season of Formula One, all drivers on the grid pick the driver they felt performed the best all season, as per tradition. Similar elections are held among the team bosses, who also pick their driver of the year in their opinion.

Past years were dominated by the rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, the two archenemies occupying the top two spots more often than not. Max Verstappen was voted the best driver for the first time in 2021 followed by another win in 2022, after winning the title in both cases.

The Dutchman claimed the honor once more in 2023, following a supremely dominant year, winning 19 races and scoring 575 points. Lewis Hamilton was right behind in second place just as it was two years ago after the intense 2021 season.

Lewis Hamilton was the only driver not to vote, as the other nineteen drivers cast their choice. The Briton has not participated in this election since its inception in 2018, despite topping the list three times consecutively.

Johnny Herbert claims Max Verstappen will not retire due to Lewis Hamilton’s record

Max Verstappen has had an incredible season in Formula One so far, impressing heavily in his eight-year stint in the sport. Verstappen has an incredible record of 54 wins and three titles already, as the Red Bull driver entered his best year ever in 2023.

Verstappen has always said that he does not plan to drive into his late thirties as his rival Hamilton has. However, three-time race winner and F1 icon Johnny Herbert believes that Verstappen’s rival Hamilton may incite the Dutchman to stay in the sport for longer than he intended to.

Herber was teammates with Michael Schumacher who holds the record for most world championships tied with Lewis Hamilton. Herbert attributed Hamilton’s tied record seven-title landmark as a goal for Verstappen, as the 26-year-old is well on the way to that goal with three consecutive titles. 

There are two drivers who have won seven world titles [Hamilton and Schumacher] and Max is very aware that he has the talent to potentially beat that. That is his motivation.

Johnny Herbert said, as reported by mirror.co.uk

Verstappen has broken multiple records already, most of all in his 2023 campaign. He secured the record for most consecutive victories and highest win percentage as well as wins in a season. Verstappen may well be looking higher up for the more challenging record of all-time career wins, where he currently stands third in the list with 54.

In case you missed it:

• Today marks 10 years since Michael Schumacher’s tragic skiing accident
• Ex-F1 driver reveals Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin’s main ‘highlight’ of 2023

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