Motor racing-F1 champion Verstappen hopes rivals can raise their game

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Dutch Grand Prix - Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands - September 4, 2022 Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium with the trophy after winning the Dutch Grand Prix REUTERS/Yves Herman

(Reuters) - Red Bull's Max Verstappen shrugged off a suggestion he was favourite for a third successive Formula One championship and said on Friday the sport needed a closer battle than last year even if he intended to be better than ever.

Verstappen won 15 of 22 races in a 2022 season that was his team's best yet with Mexican team mate Sergio Perez adding two to the tally.