Max Verstappen concludes a historic Formula 1 season with his 19th win, feeling emotional about his achievements and the end of an era with the RB19. His staggering win rate and points haul have set new records that may stand for generations, underlining an extraordinary year for both Verstappen and Red Bull Racing.
Between the lines
- Verstappen achieved an unprecedented 86.36% win rate this season, surpassing Alberto Ascari’s 1952 record.
- With 575 out of 620 possible points, he secured 92.7% of the season’s points.
- Max’s lead over teammate Sergio Perez was a colossal 290 points, with podium finishes in 21 of 22 races.
- The Dutchman led for 1003 laps, a testament to his and Red Bull’s dominance in the 2023 season.
Go deeper
Max Verstappen’s emotional connection to the RB19 was palpable as he reflected on his final race in the car that brought him so much success. The 26-year-old acknowledged the difficulty in replicating such a season, expressing gratitude to his team for their exceptional performance.
Verstappen’s journey this season was nothing short of a masterclass, starting with his 12th pole position and maintaining the lead against a fierce challenge from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Despite a temporary drop from the lead after pit stops, Verstappen’s victory seemed almost destined, finishing 18 seconds ahead of Leclerc.
The season finale was a fitting end to a year of domination, with Verstappen and Red Bull not just focused on celebrating their current success but also looking ahead to future challenges. With the rest of the grid aiming to dethrone the champions, Verstappen and his team are already preparing for the battles to come.
In a touching moment, team principal Christian Horner praised Verstappen’s performance, emphasizing the privilege of witnessing his journey. The celebrations also included a charitable gesture from Horner, who donated his winnings from a bet with Helmut Marko on Verstappen’s pole position.
As the F1 community looks back on Verstappen’s monumental achievements, Red Bull Racing has already secured the constructors’ title, with Sergio Perez finishing as runner-up in the drivers’ standings. The team’s success this year sets a high bar for the competition and promises an exciting future for the sport.