Verstappen declares himself "ready to go again" after title celebrations

Max Verstappen has insisted his hunger for success will return in the new year after celebrating his first world championship victory.

The Red Bull driver capped a record-breaking season off in dramatic fashion with a last-lap overtake on rival Lewis Hamilton to realise his dream of becoming the best in the world.

This came after a meteoric rise through the junior ranks, with his F1 promotion being gained after only a year of European F3.

The journey then continued with a season as part of Toro Rosso's set-up before being swiftly moved into Red Bull four races into the 2016 season.

The Dutchman won 10 times, took 10 poles and led over half of the total laps driven in 2021 on his way to victory and asked at the FIA Prize-Giving Gala how hungry he was for more success and after confessing to having "one too many" in celebrating his win, he replied: "I'm sure when it turns the first of January I'm ready to go again because I love what I'm doing and I love being part of the team.

"I already said on the in-lap, I want to do it with this team for another 10 to 15 years so hopefully within those years we can win more championships because that's always been the goal."

On whether winning the title will change him as a driver, Verstappen assessed: "Time will tell. I cannot really say right now.

"I just have to keep on doing what I have been doing, and of course, I'll try to improve and that's what I'll try to do again next year as well."