mobile app bar

Max Verstappen on the verge of smashing Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel’s F1 records

Somin Bhattacharjee
Published

Max Verstappen on the verge of smashing Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel's F1 records

Max Verstappen will enter the 2022 US Grand Prix with an opportunity to equal seven-time Champion Michael Schumacher’s record. 

Verstappen was part of an intense World Title battle with Lewis Hamilton in 2021. It was decided on the very last lap of the season finale, but the 25-year-old became the first-ever F1 Champion from the Netherlands.

His 2022 season, meanwhile has been a relative walk in the park. At the start of the season, he did face some challenges from Ferrari and Charles Leclerc, but his lead at the top kept increasing with time. With four races still left, Verstappen has already clinched the Drivers’ Title with 12 race wins to his name.

If Verstappen wins the United States GP this weekend, he will have 13 race wins in 2022. This will equal Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel’s records. Schumacher won 13 out of 18 races in 2004, which is regarded by many as the most dominant season by a driver ever. Vettel too won 13 races on his way to becoming a four-time World Champion in 2013.

Also read: Lando Norris claims he would beat 103 GP winner Lewis Hamilton as teammates

Max Verstappen could outrank Schumacher’s win-percentage

Schumacher’s 2004 season was legendary, when he won 13 out 18 races. In terms of percentage, that is 72.2% of the total races that year. This is the second highest win percentage in a season in F1 history, only behind Alberto Ascari’s dominant 75% in 1952.

If Verstappen wins the remaining four races, then he will have 16 race wins to his name in 2022. This will be an extraordinary record, that may not be broken for years to come. However, to do that, the Red Bull star has to finish P1 in Austin, Mexico City, Sao Paolo and Abu Dhabi.

This should not be a concern for Red Bull because they have been historically dominant at the first three venues. The Milton-Keynes-based team have been competitive here, even when they weren’t at their best.

Now that Verstappen has secured his World Title, he can focus on breaking these records. At this weekend’s United States GP, Red Bull can seal their first Constructors’ Title win since 2013, if they leave COTA with 16 more points than Ferrari on the weekend.

Also read: 7-time world champion Lewis Hamilton once blacked out in fighter jet after avoiding to follow rules

About the author

Somin Bhattacharjee

Somin Bhattacharjee

x-iconinstagram-iconlinkedin-icon

Basketball Editor Somin Bhattacharjee first discovered the game during the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Not long after, he turned to the NBA and found himself drawn to the Golden State Warriors — right at the start of Stephen Curry’s rise. Over time, the admiration turned into full-blown support for the team, one that continues even as the Curry era approaches its twilight. A true hoophead, Somin also follows EuroLeague basketball closely and enjoys exploring the game beyond the NBA. Though holding a bachelor's degree in marketing, Somin discovered his true calling in writing. Since 2021, he has penned over 3,000 articles for TheSportsRush, covering everything from breaking news to sharp opinion pieces and detailed exclusives. He thrives on writing about in-game moments and the reactions that make basketball a uniquely emotional sport. Beyond basketball, Somin plays different sports including soccer and remains a passionate fan of Spanish football giants Real Madrid

Share this article