Max Verstappen has grabbed all the wins, records, and headlines he can in 2023. The Red Bull driver has been ominous throughout the Formula 1 season and has won all but 3 races. He has broken records held by the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, and Michael Schumacher. Now, he has broken a record that belonged to the late Alberto Ascari. This record was set in 1952, which means it stood for 71 years!
What is the record?
When Max Verstappen won the Brazil GP, he took his win percentage of the season to 85%. He has won 17 out of the 20 races this season. However, in doing so, he also ensured that even if loses the next 2 races, he will end the 2023 Formula 1 season with a win percentage of 77.2%.
For more than 70 years, the highest win percentage in a Formula 1 season belonged to Alberto Ascari. He achieved a 75% win rate in the 1952 season. Max Verstappen broke it in his Red Bull.
The 1952 Record
Alberto Ascari achieved his record in a very short Formula 1 season by today’s standards. He won 6 out of 8 races in the season. He was helped by the absence of his main rival, the great Juan Manuel Fangio.
To win 6 out of 8 races in an era with horrible reliability made the record by Alberto Ascari almost mythical. Even the great Michael Schumacher could not break the record.
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Why Max’s record is special too
Max Verstappen is driving in an era with much more reliable cars than 1952. His teammate at Red Bull hardly challenges him.
However, glossing over his inhuman consistency and impeccable driving would be a huge disservice to the Dutchman. Max Verstappen has been inevitable in his Red Bull in 2023. He has kept his hunger, focus, and drive through a long and grueling season with 20 races and 6 sprints.
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Where can Max end up?
If Max Verstappen wins one more race out of the next 2, he will end the 2023 Formula 1 season with a win percentage of 81.8%. However, should he win both, he will end with a scarcely believable win percentage of 86.4%.
