Max Verstappen delivered yet another commanding performance in Brazil, solidifying his place as the dominant force in Formula 1. The reigning world champion took control of the Interlagos circuit, displaying a level of precision, focus, and expertise in the wet weather that sets him apart from the rest.
Verstappen produced a stunning drive from 17th on the grid to claim victory by a margin of over 19 seconds, joining an elite group of only five drivers in F1 history who have won from 17th or lower.
The 27-year-old Dutch driver has now secured eight wins this season, more than double the number of victories of his closest competitors. Even after breaking a four-and-a-half-month winless streak that stretched back to June, he has still managed to claim more victories than anyone else over the last 13 races.
Verstappen started the year with 54 career wins, 20 of which came in seasons when Red Bull didn’t secure the constructors’ title. Adding eight more victories to his total brings him to 28, as long as McLaren clinches their first championship since 1998 or Ferrari steps in to claim their first since 2008.
Max Verstappen sets his sights on Michael Schumacher’s record
Michael Schumacher holds the record for most wins in the non-constructor winning seasons with 32 wins to his name. Verstappen only needs five more wins to surpass Schumacher’s record and the Dutchman would look the close the gap with three races to go in the ongoing season with Red Bull likely to relinquish their title to McLaren.
In the all time winners list, Verstappen now sits behind only Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton with 91 and 105 victories. respectively. Verstappen sits third with 62 wins to his name.
Only five other drivers in Formula 1 history have reached 28 race wins, with Sebastian Vettel at 53, Alain Prost at 51, Ayrton Senna at 41, Fernando Alonso at 32, and Nigel Mansell at 31. Interestingly, Vettel secured 19 of those wins in seasons when his team did not capture the constructors’ title, Prost achieved 21, while Senna and Alonso each recorded 14, and Mansell earned 10.
The 22nd race of the historic 24-race 2024 Formula 1 season could see Max Verstappen clinch his fourth consecutive world championship. The Las Vegas Grand Prix will be broadcast live from the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, with the action set to begin at 12:55 a.m. ET, 11.30 IST on Sunday, November 24.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
