The double world champion, who is heading for a third title in a row, can still seek new records to challenge himself.
The reigning double world champion Max Verstappen, who won his 10th Grand Prix in a row at the Monza circuit in Italy on Sunday, signs a new record in Formula 1 and could beat others by the end of the season. season scheduled for November 26 in Abu Dhabi. Here’s what to look for for the Dutchman:
Number of points in a season: after the Italian GP, the Dutchman has 364 championship points. That’s 90 units less than last year at the end of the season, when he finished the season with 454 runs, erasing the all-time record of 413 runs set by Lewis Hamilton in 2019. But with eight innings remaining and 232 points to distribute, it’s a safe bet that the Dutchman will exceed his performance recorded in 2022, especially as six sprint races have been added to the calendar this season – compared to three last year – earning additional points in the championship.
Number of wins in a season: 15 times victorious in 22 races in 2022, “Mad Max” erased last year the record of 13 successes jointly held by Sebastian Vettel (2013) and F1 legend Michael Schumacher (2004). With 12 victories so far and eight GPs still to be contested in 2023, Verstappen can largely beat his own record at the end of the season. In the percentage of victories on the other hand, “Schumi” and Vettel remain in the lead for the moment with their 13 victories out of 18 races for Schumacher (72.22%) – 19 for Vettel (68.42%). The Dutchman is third with 68.18% wins last year.
Number of consecutive podiums: since November 2022 and the Abu Dhabi GP, Verstappen has never done worse than a second place. In Italy, he chained his 15th podium in a row. This performance now places him on a par with double world champion Fernando Alonso, author of 15 consecutive podiums between 2005 and 2006 – but above all four podiums from Michael Schumacher’s absolute record (19 consecutive podiums between 2001 and 2002).
Distance between first and second at the end of the season: Verstappen is now 145 points ahead of his closest pursuer, his Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez. He can still beat the record still held by Vettel who, in 2013, finished the season with a considerable lead of 155 points over Alonso (Ferrari).
