Verstappen not ready for F1 season to end given recent form

Max Verstappen says he is not ready for the Formula 1 season to end in Abu Dhabi next Sunday after building significant momentum through the closing stages of the year with Red Bull.

Verstappen suffered a string of retirements through the early part of the season that saw him score just one podium finish before the summer break, only for the Dutchman to bounce back with dominant victories in Malaysia and Mexico.

Having scored more points than any other driver in the last five races, Verstappen is geared up to fight at the front of the field once again in Abu Dhabi next weekend, but joked he does not want the season to end given Red Bull's recent form.

"We will of course try and end the season with a strong result in Abu Dhabi," Verstappen said. "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.

“I would say that my favourite part of the track is at Turns 2 and 3, the fast left, right. It's also very cool driving underneath the hotel and racing in the darkness with all the lights.

"The final sector at Yas Marina is actually quite technical so you have to be really precise there, but it should also be our strongest part of the track. There are quite a few overtaking opportunities to make the race interesting, before the long straight at the hairpin and then at the end of the straight under braking for the next chicane section.

“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.

"The nice thing will be to spend some time with friends and family over the winter break and then I will look ahead to January and get back into training before it all starts again."