Verstappen calm about new record: 'I'm not really concerned with that'

F1 News

26 October 2022 at 16:01
Last update 26 October 2022 at 18:35
  • GPblog.com

Max Verstappen could break a new record in Mexico. He could become the driver with the most races won in a single season. But the Dutchman tells Formel1.de he is not really concerned with that kind of statistic.

Verstappen has managed to break many records in recent years, and with each race it seems a new one is added. Last race in Austin, for instance, he and Lewis Hamilton set a new record: finishing in places 1 and 2 together most often. But that the Dutchman won in Austin also means he is now in joint first place for most wins in a season. Along with Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher, Verstappen now leads this list, with a whopping 13 wins this year.

With three races to go, Verstappen could become an autocrat on that list, but he doesn't seem concerned about that. "Of course I am proud to have won a lot of races. But I don't really look at that kind of statistic. I'm just happy when I win races. And I always say we do more races per season, so that's not always fair."

Percentages of races won would be a fairer measure

With his last comment, Verstappen does have a point. Schumacher set his record in a season with 18 races, and Vettel in a season with 19. So with 22 races this year, Verstappen does indeed have an advantage over the two German drivers. So it would be fairer to look at the percentage of races won. Schumacher won 72% of his races in his record-breaking 2004 season, Vettel 68% in 2013. For Verstappen to take the lead in that regard, he needs to win all the remaining races in the season.