Max Verstappen has a chance of re-writing the Formula 1 record books in 2023 after crushing his rivals across the first half of the season. Autoweek takes a look at the records that could fall between now and Abu Dhabi.
Victories
Verstappen has won 10 of this year’s 12 grands prix, a rate of 83 percent, currently the highest in history.
Last season he moved past the record of 13 in a single year, achieved by Michael Schumacher in 2004 and Sebastian Vettel in 2013, as he finished the campaign with 15 wins from 22 starts.
Given Verstappen’s form, it is difficult to envisage him not winning at least five of the remaining 10 races to beat his own record—and there are enough races scheduled for Verstappen to reach 20.
Verstappen entered the summer break with an eighth successive victory and is one away from matching the record of nine, set by Vettel in 2013.
Should Verstappen triumph at his home grand prix in the Netherlands—where he won in 2021 and 2022—then he will have an opportunity to become the first driver to reach 10 in a row a week later in Italy.
Points
Charting points through Formula 1 history is a challenge due to the evolution of the scoring scheme, most notably in 2010, when 25 points were awarded for a win rather than just 10. In 2023 more points are on offer than ever before due to the expansion of F1 Sprint from three to six events.
Verstappen already holds the outright record after scoring 454 points in 2022, though percentage wise he was lower than several other title-winning seasons by other drivers.
Through 1990, Formula 1 had dropped scores, meaning only a certain number of races counted towards an overall total, before all races counted from 1991. Consequently, through history there have been inflated percentages because of dropped scores.
Michael Schumacher (center) celebrates a win between podium finishers Juan Pablo Montoya (left) and Ralf Schumacher.
The highest value since the scheme was scrapped belongs to Michael Schumacher, who scored 144/170 in 2002, giving him a percentage of 84.7%, but Verstappen is currently trending to beat that.
Verstappen has scored 314/336 across the opening 12 races, putting him at 93.5 per cent, meaning he will comfortably beat his own individual total and Schumacher’s net percentage record if he continues on his current form.
Podiums
Verstappen has scored 12/12 podiums in 2023—only once before, courtesy of Schumacher in a 17-race 2002 season, has a driver finished in the top three in every race.
Verstappen also has breathing room to beat his own record of 18 podiums in a season, set in 2021.
The reigning champion is also on a run of 13 successive podiums and is six shy of the record set by Schumacher across late 2001 and through 2002.
Laps led
If you thought the sight of Verstappen’s #1 car leading a grand prix felt extremely common this season, then you’d be correct.
Verstappen has fronted the field for 567 laps this season (this tally does not include Sprint races), a total which would already put him 11th on the list even if he failed to lead another lap.
Verstappen leads the pack.
The record stands from 2011, when Vettel led 739 of the 1133 racing laps, a percentage of 65.2.
That is short of the percentage benchmark of 71.5, achieved by Jim Clark in 1963, when he led 506 of 708 laps.
There are 603 racing laps left this year, so it is highly likely Verstappen could break both records as he is currently trending at 78.3% and needs only 172 further laps up front to surpass Vettel’s tally.
When can he win the title?
It is a case of when not if Verstappen seals a third world title.
Last season title number two was sealed in Japan, though in 2022 there were four events after the round at Suzuka, and thanks to calendar reshuffles this year, there are still six to run following Formula 1’s voyage to the venue. There are also three Sprint events across the final stages of the campaign, in which there are more points available.
Verstappen’s points lead is currently 125 and he needs the following advantage after each of the respective races to clinch the crown:
- Japan: 180
- Qatar Sprint: 172
- Qatar: 146
- Austin Sprint: 138
- Austin: 112
- Mexico City: 86
- São Paulo Sprint: 78
- São Paulo: 52
- Las Vegas: 26
Verstappen’s current trajectory has him trending to clinch the title in Qatar, on October 8.
In the Constructors’ Championship the situation is similar, with Red Bull far out in front, to the tune of 256 points, with more than double the total of second-placed Mercedes.
Red Bull—which is on a record-breaking run of 13 successive victories—could make sure of the Constructors’ crown as early as Singapore, on September 17, though a more likely location is Japan or Qatar.
- Singapore: 353
- Japan: 309
- Qatar Sprint: 294
- Qatar: 250
- Austin Sprint: 235
- Austin: 191
- Mexico City: 147
- São Paulo Sprint: 132
- São Paulo: 88
- Las Vegas: 44
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