Max Verstappen and Red Bull are seemingly untouchable this term. So far, the constructor has won all 11 races in 2023, with Verstappen taking nine of those. The two-time world champion is certain to make it three titles on the bounce come the end of the year, but as we approach the halfway point of the campaign, which records could he and his team still break? We’ve taken a look back through the record books to find out.
Most wins in a season - 15 (Max Verstappen)
The reason that Verstappen’s dominance this season has felt so suffocating is because he was also near-perfect in the last campaign. After the chaos of Abu Dhabi 2021, Verstappen ran away with the title in 2022, winning 15 out of 22 races. His performance broke the record, previously held jointly by Michael Schumacher (2004) and Sebastien Vettel (2013), who both recorded 13 victories albeit in fewer Grands Prix.
Verstappen is currently on nine wins, with 11 Grands Prix to go. Seven more victories will see him break his own record.
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Most wins as a percentage - 75% (Alberto Ascari)
As a percentage, Schumacher’s phenomenal 2004 season saw him win 72.22% of the 18 races, but it’s only enough for second spot. In 1952, Alberto Ascari won six of eight, giving him a win percentage of 75% across a far shorter season.
Verstappen’s dominance so far this season has been like nothing we have ever seen before, with his win percentage currently sitting at 81.82%. If he wins every single race from here on out, he will finish with a win percentage of 90.91%. His current total is simply ridiculous, and if he can beat Ascari it will go down as the greatest ever F1 season.
Most consecutive wins - 9 (Sebastien Vettel)
In 2013, Vettel, also in a Red Bull, put together an unprecedented run of nine consecutive victories that carried him to the title. It had been a thrilling first half of the season as Kimi Raikonnen, Fernando Alonso, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Vettel all took home race wins, but from the midway point the German turned on the style. From Belgium to Brazil, he dominated the second half of the season, winning at every venue to take home his fourth world title in a row.
It looked like an impossible number to beat, but Verstappen is now just three wins away from doing so. The Dutchman is currently on a run of seven successive wins, and he will hope to turn that into eight in Belgium this weekend. This is a record that could be gone by the end of September.
Most podium finishes in one season - 18 (Max Verstappen)
Another record he set himself. Verstappen charted 18 podium finishes out of 22 in 2021 as he beat Lewis Hamilton to the title by the narrowest of margins. This season he looks near certain to beat that record having finished first or second in all 11 races so far. It would be a huge shock if he finishes outside the top three in any races, which could give him the perfect 100% record.
Most consecutive podium finishes - 19 (Michael Schumacher)
Between the USA Grand Prix in 2001 and Japan in 2002, Schumacher finished on the podium an outstanding 19 races in a row. That run took him to two world titles but now his record is under threat. Verstappen is currently on a run of 12 consecutive podiums that stretches back to Abu Dhabi 2022. If he keeps performing as he has been, he will cruise by that total by the end of the season.
Most Championship points in a season - 454 (Max Verstappen)
With more races than ever before, the new points format and the Sprint races, it’s no surprise that Verstappen broke the points record last term. He’s on course to obliterate that total this season, currently with 281 points to his name before the half-way stage. If he gets to 500, it will mark an outstanding achievement from the dominant driver.
Most wins from pole position in one season - 9 (Nigel Mansell and Sebastien Vettel)
The iconic moustache of Nigel Mansell won nine races from pole in the 1992 season, a figure only matched by Vettel in 2011. However, Verstappen could well break that this year, as he already has seven wins from pole to his name and is clearly the quickest driver on the track this season.
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