The Dutch star has been widely regarded as the best F1 racer since the Lewis Hamilton era ended, having secured the 2021 and 2022 Formula One World Championships.
In the high-speed world of Formula 1, one name has been consistently making headlines in 2023 - Max Verstappen. The Dutch racing prodigy, known for his aggressive yet skillful driving style, has been on a record-breaking spree, leaving fans and pundits in awe.
The rise of Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen's journey in Formula 1 began in 2015 when he made his debut with the Scuderia Toro Rosso team at 17. His remarkable talent and fearlessness were evident from the start, as he became the youngest driver ever to start a Formula 1 race. Verstappen's early years were marked by stunning performances and daring overtakes, earning him the nickname 'Mad Max'.
In 2016, Verstappen was promoted to the senior Red Bull Racing team, where he continued to impress. He secured his first Grand Prix victory in Spain that same year, making him the youngest race winner in Formula 1 history at just 18 years old.
As Max Verstappen's star continued to rise, he found himself in a fierce rivalry with one of the sport's greatest champions, Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, and Verstappen engaged in epic battles on the track, creating some of the most memorable moments in recent F1 history.
Verstappen's 2023 triumph
In the 2023 Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen has taken his domination to unprecedented levels. At the Monza Grand Prix, he secured his 10th consecutive victory, shattering previous records. Together with his teammate, Sergio Perez, the Red Bull team has achieved a remarkable feat by winning every race held in 2023, as per Sky Sports.
The challenge of Verstappen's dominance
Greg Maffei, CEO of Liberty Media, the company that owns Formula 1, acknowledges the challenge posed by Verstappen's extraordinary season. Speaking at an event hosted by Goldman Sachs, Maffei humorously referenced the infamous Tonya Harding incident in ice skating when discussing the challenge Verstappen's dominance presents. He quipped, 'Short of breaking his leg, a la Tonya Harding, I'm not sure what we can do about that!'
Nevertheless, Maffei recognizes Verstappen's brilliance on the track, emphasizing that the Dutch driver not only possesses the fastest car but also navigates it with remarkable precision. He said:
'But he's a phenom. He's driving what seems to be the fastest car and he's driving it very well. If you look at the lines he's taking, how aggressive those lines are, but how well he's able to navigate them. It is truly stunning. And you can see statistically why he is faster than anybody else.'
While TV viewership remains a key metric, Maffei points out that it's not the sole measure of interest in Formula 1. The sport's presence on social media platforms, including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, has seen exponential growth. He told Motorsport:
'I think you need to look at overall interest in the sport. Viewership is a little tough. We've had many successes this year, I think three of the top four races here in the United States were all this year in terms of viewership, and our average viewership is up year over year.'
Max Verstappen's path to a third championship title appears almost certain, but it's not yet sealed. His record-breaking streak has left him in a commanding position, leading his teammate Sergio Perez by a substantial margin. To secure the championship, Verstappen needs to maintain a specific lead after the next three races, as per The Express.
Singapore (Sep. 17) - 206 points lead needed
Japan (Sep. 24) - 180 points lead needed
Qatar (Oct. 8) - 146 points lead needed
In the 2023 season, even with Max Verstappen's present dominance, both Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher hold an equal record of seven championship titles each.
Read more:
⋙ Inside Michael Schumacher’s bond with Max Verstappen as F1 star would call him uncle
⋙ Max Verstappen: Here's what we know about the feud between him and Sergio Perez
⋙ Lewis Hamilton got schooled by the Queen for his unacceptable manners
