Max Verstappen Equals Ferrari Legend Niki Lauda in Honorable F1 List After Turkish GP

Since his debut with Toro Rosso back in 2015, Max Verstappen has broken many records. In his first race, the Dutchman became the youngest driver ever to compete in F1. A year later, on his debut with Red Bull at the Spanish GP, Verstappen became the youngest driver to win a Grand Prix in F1.

Max Verstappen has made a habit of breaking records and at the recently concluded Turkish Grand Prix, the Red Bull driver reached another milestone in the pinnacle of motor racing.

At Istanbul Park, the 24-year-old comfortably crossed the checkered flag at P2, 14.5 seconds behind the race winner Valtteri Bottas. In addition to that, the Dutchman has regained his lead in the drivers’ championship and currently sits six points ahead of his arch-rival Lewis Hamilton, who finished fifth.

And after securing his 12th podium of the season at the Turkish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen matched the three-time world champion, Niki Lauda, in the all-time F1 podiums list at 54.

Verstappen and Lauda are joint 15th in the ranking, with Lewis Hamilton topping the list with 176 podiums.

Watch Story: Verstappen the Big Winner as Hamilton Loses Out at Turkish F1 Grand Prix

Max Verstappen expecting a ‘good battle’ with Mercedes at the US Grand Prix

After the conclusion of the Turkish Grand Prix, the Formula 1 paddock will head towards Austin for the United States Grand Prix.

Since the addition of the US GP to the racing calendar in 2012, Mercedes have dominated at the Circuit of The Americas, winning six out of eight races. Of those six wins, five have been won by the seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, and he will be the favorite to win the race again this season.

Despite the German team’s stronghold at the COTA, Max Verstappen is confident Red Bull can challenge them for victory.

As quoted by Planet F1, Max Verstappen said after the Turkish GP: “I think it’s been close the whole year. And I’m pretty sure again in Austin it will be a good battle with Mercedes.”

“So we just have to keep on pushing, trying to improve and then we will see where we end up at the end.”

Read More: Ex-Red Bull F1 Driver Sounds off the Alarm Bells for Max Verstappen Despite Turkey Podium

Can Red Bull and Max Verstappen challenge Mercedes for the victory at the United States Grand Prix? What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.