via Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 12: Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing speaks with third placed qualifier Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
via Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 12: Pole position qualifier Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing speaks with third placed qualifier Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2020 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
The 2022 F1 season certainly belongs to Max Verstappen. The Dutchman not only has picked up his fifth straight win but also his 11th win of the season. With a few more races on the way this season, Verstappen is on his way to do what was never done before, not even by Lewis Hamilton. And F1 fans have reacted to this.
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The Red Bull star driver picked up his fifth straight win and hence took the honor to win the triple header. With the recently concluded race win at Monza, the Red Bull man has further extended his championship lead to 116 points over P2 Charles Leclerc.
As things stand, Verstappen is on the brink to break the record for the most number of race wins in a single season held by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. The former Ferrari driver achieved this feat in the 2004 season when he won 13 out of 18 races that year.
Moreover, Schumacher’s compatriot Sebastian Vettel also equaled the record in 2013 when he won the driver’s title with Red Bull. The current Aston Martin driver won 13 out of 19 races that season. Even though Lewis Hamilton has come closer to it multiple times, he was unable to break the record.
F1 fans react as Max Verstappen is all set to surpass Lewis Hamilton’s efforts
Lewis Hamilton has notched up 11 season wins multiple times. However, the Briton could not go past the 11-win mark even after numerous tries. Hamilton has picked up 11 wins in 2014, 2018, 2019, and 2020 F1 seasons.
I still find it strange that even in the Merc dominationera, Lewis never got more than 13 wins in a single season
— Kieran/Mega (@MegaVSPrimus) September 13, 2022
He might have a 80% win race this season. Which is exactly why this season is so extremly boring
— Stefanie (@Schleifpferd) September 13, 2022
Instead of hating on a driver ( who doesn't give a s**t what people think of him ) we, the fans, should cherish this period of time. What we see, what we all witness is special.
— Dennis Broekhart (@Broekie83) September 13, 2022
With 16 races already over, the Dutchman has higher chances to go over Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. However, fans argue that the race-winning percentage is what matters.
There were only 18 races when Schumacher won 13, Max will need 15/16 wins to match that percentage.
— OzricSaint (@timallcock72) September 13, 2022
% of races won is a better stat
— David Morales (@DrMoralesDavid) September 13, 2022
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Total wins is still impressive, but if you’re looking at winning percentage over a season, Vettel won 13/19 races (68%) in 2013, and Shumacher won 13/18 (72%) in 2004. Verstappen would need to win all the remaining races to finish with 17/22 (77%) and overtake them.
— Jaidyn Belbin (@JaidynBelbin) September 13, 2022
Even after taking penalties in Belgium and Italy, the 2021 F1 Champion has managed to seal the victory. Coming from behind and winning races simply shows the speed the Dutchman has this season.
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All in all, Max Verstappen looks to be unstoppable in 2022. It’ll be interesting to see if the Red Bull star can break the 13-win mark.
