Red Bull's Max Verstappen collected his Formula One world champion's trophy at a gala awards ceremony on Thursday, and looked forward to fighting seven times title-holder Lewis Hamilton again next season.
His Mercedes rival, beaten this year on the last lap of the last race, did not attend the event at the Louvre museum in Paris.
"Everything that comes next is just a bonus. I'm going to keep pushing. I'm going to be in F1 for a few more years but this has been an incredibly tough season," said the 24-year-old. "He also won a championship like that. So I think he can understand as well," said the 24-year-old, who overtook Hamilton at Yas Marina when a sudden change to the safety car procedure gave him a chance after it seemed he had none.
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