Red Bull and Max Verstappen had the most successful seasons in the history of Formula 1. After having a dominant streak of wins for the longest time, it came to an end at the Singapore Grand Prix with the first non-Red Bull win of the season. After breaking former World Champion, Sebastian Vettel’s longstanding record, the Dutchman managed to regain his dominance as he won his third championship this year on a Saturday.
Before the Red Bull dominance, seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton had the longest-running dominance over the sport. The Briton had won six championships prior to the very controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix of 2021 where Max Verstappen nabbed his first win. Even since that disputed race, it has been a downfall in Mercedes’s dominance as Lewis Hamilton has not won any other championship. Nevertheless, the Silver Arrows dominant phase is one of the longest-running ones.
Mercedes in first 3 seasons of turbo-hybrid era (59 races):
– 51 wins (86.4%)
– 56 poles (94.9%)
– 31 1-2s (52.5%)
– 56 races with a podium (94.9%)Red Bull in ground-effect era (42 races):
– 36 wins (85.7%)
– 21 poles (50%)
– 11 1-2s (26.2%)
– 39 races with a podium (92.8%)I…
— Dan’s DRS Zone (@F1GuyDan) November 12, 2023
Up till Miami, Verstappen, and teammate Sergio Perez worked towards compound wins in the early races, setting up a competitive scene similar to the exciting Mercedes seasons of 2014 and 2016, when fierce rivalry existed and the Drivers’ Championship remained uncertain until the very end. In this ongoing season, the British driver is fighting against Perez to replace him from the second spot while trailing behind with 41 points.
Overwhelming dominance held by Max Verstappen with 18 Grand Prix wins in 2023
The 26-year-old Dutchman’s relentless quest for the title has given him the appellation “Verstappen era” among the fans in and around the paddock. Verstappen has completely revised the rules of what defines an F1 dominant season, winning 18 of the 21 races for Red Bull, including an unparalleled 10 straight win. Every time he hit the track, his performances gave off an air of imminence. His Mexican teammate, who was using the same machinery, found himself pushing too hard.
Let’s gooo guys!!! 💪 Another amazing result @redbullracing 👏
Had a lot of fun out there today, great racing! 🙌 See you next year Vegas 🎲🎰 pic.twitter.com/MGxLOoOhrq
— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) November 19, 2023
The team principal of the Milton Keynes-based team, Christian Horner said, “At 26 years old it is an outstanding achievement. To have won three titles in a row with the dominance that he had in 2022 and then this year is something the sport has not seen for a long, long time. It is easy to underestimate the level at which he is operating. He is earning his place with the greats, I believe he is up there with the very best of them.”
This year, the Red Bull was the fastest car on the pitch owing to its incredible speed on straightaways and in turns. Races like Spa, where he started sixth on the grid, and Zandvoort, where he maintained composure in harsh conditions, brought the Dutch driver’s outstanding athletic ability to light. Red Bull is still a powerful force, and Verstappen is ready to usher in a new era in Formula 1 with a smile on his face despite the limitations only terminating until 2026.
