3 Months After Breaking Ayrton Senna’s Record, Max Verstappen Downplays His Achievement With Significant F1 Change in Mind

Sabyasachi Biswas | 05/10/2023

With the win at the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen overtook Ayrton Senna’s all-time win tally. In doing so, he became the driver with the fifth-highest win after Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Alain Prost. However, Verstappen, as per Dutch Formule1, has downplayed his achievement, saying that the new F1 regulations have given him a significant edge.

Comparing what Senna has achieved at the age of 26 with that of the current Red Bull driver brings a stark difference. The Dutchman is miles ahead of the Brazilian in terms of F1 records.

However, it is not a testament to tell the difference that Verstappen in any way is more talented than Senna. The main difference lies in the different scenarios they raced in the 1990s and the 2020s.

Verstappen downplays his record with difference in scenario

The number of races in the 1990s was less than that of the current seasons. Currently, Verstappen and Co. can take part in races beyond 20. However, it was not the same in those days, as Senna had only more or less 15 races per season.

When asked about his record to the Dutchman, talking about this, Verstappen revealed in an interview with Dutch Formule1, “Yes, but also that record… Nowadays there are more races than before.”

Along with this, Verstappen also mentioned the importance of material. Currently, the Dutchman has the most dominant car on the F1 grid which has helped him win 13 races this season.

Verstappen and his massive haul of race wins

Max Verstappen, with his searing form has recently shattered several records this season. He became the driver with the most number of consecutive wins after his victory at the Monza. With that, he broke the decade-long record of Sebastian Vettel’s nine-race winning streak.

However, the winning streak was broken after Carlos Sainz sealed his win in Singapore. As things stand, the Red Bull driver has 13 wins, two wins away from matching his all-time highest tally from 2022. With six more races to go this season, there are chances that he might break his own record.

Furthermore, Verstappen is just six points away from sealing his third consecutive F1 world championship. If he manages to claim those points or more, he will become the first driver to clinch his title as early as Qatar.

Post Edited By: Pritam Priyedarshi
Ayrton Senna Max Verstappen

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Sabyasachi Biswas

Sabyasachi Biswas is an F1 journalist at The SportsRush. With over one and a half decades of love for the sport and five years of experience in the field, he dreams to be a regular at the paddock when the lights go out. A Red Bull fan and F1 fan in general over the years, he enjoyed watching Felipe Massa, Sebastian Vettel, and Max Verstappen dominate the track. Apart from F1, he's also a big-time Madridista and Federer fanatic. He was a sub-junior level footballer, won inter-district quizzes and debate competitions back in school. A travel freak throughout, he tries different cuisines and learns new cultures whenever he's away from the keyboard.

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