Max Verstappen says that he doesn’t want the 2017 season to end, having picked up strong results during the closing stages of the campaign.
Verstappen took just one podium during the opening half of the campaign amid a run of reliability setbacks and incidents, including a run of five retirements from seven Grands Prix.
However, Verstappen has bounced back, taking dominant victories in Malaysia and Mexico, and the runner-up spot in Japan, as Red Bull also made improvements after initial struggles.
Next weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will bring down the curtain on the 2017 campaign, but Verstappen commented that he would rather keep racing, due to his recent form.
“We will of course try and end the season with a strong result in Abu Dhabi,” said Verstappen, as he prepares to bring his third Formula 1 season to a close.
“Last year was actually quite a good race after skipping a pit stop following a spin at Turn 1, it was hard to manage the tyres to the end of the race but we did it and finished fourth.
“Abu Dhabi is the last race on the calendar, but I don't actually want the season to end.
“I'm really fired up at the moment and I just want to keep going.”
Team-mate Daniel Ricciardo is hopeful of capturing a strong result with which to close the campaign, and believes Red Bull has the potential to triumph at the Yas Marina Circuit.
“Yas Marina has actually been one of my favourite tracks over the years,” said Ricciardo.
“It's been a bit like Suzuka for me though, a track that I've always enjoyed and gone well on but not quite reached the podium at.
“I broke that trend in Suzuka this year so hopefully I can do the same in Abu Dhabi.
“When you have so much time away from the car in the off season it helps to sign off with a strong result as it makes you feel like you really deserve a break.
“I think we should have a strong car in Abu Dhabi. I said I want another win before the season is out and I think we have a decent chance of achieving that.”
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