22 races, 19 victories: The insatiable Formula 1 dominator Max Verstappen has refined his already fantastic season and also won the last race of the season. In the spotlight in Abu Dhabi, the Red Bull driver once again gave the competition no chance and easily beat Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and George Russell in the Mercedes.
The almost unbeatable Verstappen celebrated his 54th Grand Prix victory, leaving the Dutchman behind Sebastian Vettel in the all-time best list. Only the two record world champions Lewis Hamilton (103) and Michael Schumacher (91) have achieved more victories than the old and new world champions. And Verstappen is only 26 years old.
Nico Hülkenberg, who started the race from eighth place, only ended up in 15th place in the Haas. In the team standings, record world champion Lewis Hamilton and Russell defended second place in the team standings behind Red Bull for Mercedes in the battle with Ferrari.
Verstappen, always Verstappen: The racing machine put together a season that has never been seen before in Formula 1. The Dominator and Red Bull broke several records, including Verstappen achieving the most wins in a season, collecting the most points in a season and ultimately leading the World Cup standings by the largest margin in history.
The race itself provided very little spectacle; Verstappen got off to a good start in pole position and defended his lead against Leclerc. Afterwards, “Magic Max” maintained his lead at the front, but without pulling away. But because the first pit stops went without problems, there was no real attack from Leclerc on Verstappen. As a result, the Dutchman was able to gain a comfortable cushion on the hard tire compound. With ten laps to go, his lead was around eight seconds. And so it happened, as it had to happen so often this season: Verstappen cruised at the front towards a confident victory once again.
“It was a very special season that we enjoyed very much and we are very proud of what we achieved,” said Verstappen, who is far from having had enough. The 2024 season opener in Bahrain is just under 100 days away, where he wants to be at the top again. “Hopefully we have a competitive car again next year and can continue this momentum and win more races,” said Verstappen.
With his third world title, all the records and best marks, “you have to start talking about him as one of the biggest names in sport. I think he has earned his place there,” said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner Verstappen: “It’s phenomenal that he achieved this at the age of 26.” And the Brit gave the competition little hope that Verstappen could now let up. Because he “still has a lot to do,” said Horner.