Dutch Lion Max Verstappen Touted to Demolish Lewis Hamilton’s Long Standing Record Despite Early Retirement Rumors

The rise of Max Verstappen has been stupendous over the last few years. In the way in which he clinched his 2nd title in 2022, it seems evident that the Red Bull prodigy will dominate this era of F1. Though, does he have enough in him to break the milestones of Lewis Hamilton? Apparently, motorsport veteran Gijs van Lennep thinks Verstappen can do so effortlessly, only dependent on one factor.

As per GPBlog.com, talking to Dutch website AD, Van Lennep spoke about how he feels about Max’s rise in F1. He said, “Max is so much better than I’ve ever been. He is of the outer category. And he has only just started, is my opinion.”

Van Lennep, a two-time Le Man’s winner, further added on how the Dutch Lion can get past Lewis’s all-time F1 records. He stated, “Hamilton’s record of most grands prix won has to go. He can easily achieve that, but he has to keep going.”

Though Verstappen has got the scope to break Hamilton’s records, he still needs to wish to stay in F1 for that long. While 2022 was a walk in the park for Red Bull and Max, every year won’t yield him 15 wins.

Especially when Verstappen has himself spoken about retiring early by the time he hits his 30s. So, Van Lennep’s point of Max carrying on in F1 for a long time is crucial to him getting past 100 wins and 7 world titles.

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Looking at Verstappen’s current numbers, he is about 30-35% there on Hamilton’s records as they stand today. Although, the question will be whether he really cares about attaining those milestones if he feels satisfied with whatever he ends up achieving in the sport.

Does Max Verstappen wish to surpass Lewis Hamilton in terms of F1 records and is it possible for him?

The first prominent record Lewis Hamilton holds is of the most championships – 7. Verstappen may have got a dominant title win in 2022. Although with his peers like Charles Leclerc, Carlos Sainz, George Russell, and Hamilton himself challenging him, it won’t be easy to get another 5.

Max’s current Red Bull contract runs through 2028. So, he has got a good 6 years and hopefully 3 or 4 more years before his probable early retirement. Winning 5 or 6 world titles in the next 10 years is possible for the Dutch Lion at his peak. Still, it is completely on Max’s wish till when he wishes to race in F1.

As things stand, Verstappen has got 35 race wins and will look to add more in the next few years. He certainly has a shot at hitting the century of wins only passed by Hamilton. But again, it will depend on how tough Verstappen’s challengers Leclerc, Russell, Norris, and others will be.

On the record of pole positions, Max ain’t fond of getting the top spot on the grid. He has got only 20 pole positions to couple his 35 race wins. So, it is more likely that the Dutchman can hit the century of wins first than the century of poles.

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Regardless, Max will focus on defending his title in 2023. While he loves to pile on the numbers and win every race, there will come a time when he doesn’t feel so. Do you really think Verstappen will call it a day in his early 30s and not look to break F1 records?