Having clinched his second F1 world title at Suzuka earlier this month, Verstappen continued his dominant marketing campaign by scoring his 14th win of the yr in Sunday’s Mexican Grand Prix.
It meant Verstappen surpassed the present file collectively held by Michael Schumacher from 2004 and Sebastian Vettel from 2013, in addition to claiming the file for the variety of factors scored in a single season with two races nonetheless remaining.
Following his victory on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Verstappen paid tribute to his Pink Bull staff for “one other nice race” after choosing up its sixteenth win of the yr and ninth in a row.
“It is simply an unbelievable season for us as a staff,” stated Verstappen. “I by no means thought I might be capable to win 14 races in a yr. However yeah, after all, I’m extremely proud.”
The season win file has been inside Verstappen’s sightlines for a while, however the Dutchman often downplayed the significance of the file and the potential for getting there.
Upon matching the file at the US Grand Prix, Verstappen famous the distinction in eras and the way F1 seasons now have extra races. Schumacher’s 13-race haul got here in an 18-race season, whereas Vettel matched that quantity over 19 races in 2013.
Requested by Autosport after the race in Mexico if his resolution to downplay it was a tactic to keep away from dropping focus, Verstappen stated he was not sure however that he was “by no means actually desirous about stats.”
“I simply reside within the second,” Verstappen stated. “I simply attempt to, after all, do the most effective I can each single weekend. I attempt to win the races and that, for me, is crucial. Each single weekend once I go house, and I can say to myself that I maximised or near that I am blissful.
“However after all, lots in System 1 depends upon your complete bundle , proper? And we’re having an ideal bundle and I am simply having fun with the second.
“I’m not that desirous about holding in contact with each stat. However after all, it’s a tremendous season and naturally I am very proud of successful so many races.”
Race winner Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Photograph by: Pink Bull Content material Pool
Vettel insisted he has no regrets about dropping the file that he shared with shut good friend and mentor Schumacher.
“No, I imply each time it is a bit totally different,” he stated. “I believe it is nice for the staff. I nonetheless know some folks there, so I am actually blissful for them and for Max.
“Effectively completed. I believe he is had a hell of a season, so hopefully he will get 16 on the finish of the yr! All the things else can be a disappointment, no?”
The Aston Martin driver agreed that sustaining such a stage of success just isn’t as simple as it would look from the surface.
“No, it is not,” he stated. “However clearly I believe they’d a momentum from final yr, the automotive this yr is unbelievable. They received races though they have been heavier than everyone else.
“I believe by now they’ve most likely received the load out. So the automotive is there, however Max is doing a tremendous job as properly.”
Sebastian Vettel, Pink Bull RB9 Renault celebrates victory with donuts
Photograph by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Photographs
A few of Verstappen’s most important rivals praised his success, whereas stressing that they need to make life tougher for him subsequent yr.
“We all know how sturdy Max is and Pink Bull have simply completed a very nice job,” stated George Russell.
“You’ve got seen prior to now with groups being so dominant. Whenever you look again to Lewis [Hamilton] and Nico [Rosberg], they have been successful each single race, and had Lewis had a special staff mate in that period maybe he would have been successful each race, as Max is doing.
“However Max is simply doing a very glorious job week in, week out, Pink Bull are doing an ideal job. And we hope we will shut that hole additional subsequent yr.”
Carlos Sainz admitted he hadn’t anticipated Verstappen to be so dominant after Ferrari’s sturdy begin to the yr.
“No, no, you by no means count on that, particularly when you have got an excellent automotive originally,” he stated.
“I want that I might have felt a bit extra comfy originally of the season to make issues additionally a bit extra difficult for Max, and along with Charles [Leclerc], to place a bit extra of a battle.
“However Max has had a tremendous season, he deserves it. I believe they’re dominant now, I believe now the Pink Bull is beginning to be a dominant automotive, however originally of the season for certain not, and there may be the place he did an incredible job.
“My goal is subsequent yr to start out on the stage that I’m now, which is a reasonably respectable stage, and make issues extra difficult to Max.”