The regulatory change 2022 He was projected as an unbeatable opportunity for most of his teams Formula 1 to close the gap and be ready to fight for victories. The past reality 14 matches of the season is that a new rulersomeone who, unlike others in the same situation, knows how to overcome all adversity: Max Verstappen.

Not only has the Dutchman shown himself to be a worthy winner of the 2021 title, but this he is well on his way to taking the double championship this year with little opposition. Far from the mistakes of its nearest rivals, whether for reliability or strategic know-how, the Red Bull leader dominates the competition. And he does it without anyone even close to his level.

his performance Max Verstappen is so superior to the rest that his records could become one of the best seasons of all time, it’s time to review it.

unbeatable on Sundays

Of the 14 Grands Prix held so far this 2022 season, Verstappen has won 9 wins, which is equivalent to 64.2% of wins. A fact that emerges if the two dropouts are removed from the equation for credibility he had at the beginning of the course by passing to 75%. Most impressively, in the only two races he saw the checkered flag without a win, he added a 7th place in Great Britain and a 2nd place in Austria. The balance is excellent.

With these 9 wins, the Dutchman became the fourth driver fewer events are required in a season to get to that number by tying Nigel Mansell (1992) and Sebastian Vettel (2011), although behind Michael Schumacher in 2004 (in 10 races) and 2002 (in 12) and Lewis Hamilton in 2020 (in 13).

Despite what the numbers say, if anything has become clear over the past decade, it’s that a team’s or a driver’s dominance usually comes from big Saturdays and proper Sundays. There’s something strange going on with Max and it’s that if you consider what happened inside Hungary and Belgiumthe Dutchman won both races start behind the top 10, a milestone that very few can reach except for two consecutive events.

In fact, as José María Cimadevilla pointed out Red Bull driver joins Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso as the only world champions to win more than two races starting from behind 10th place, Max is the only one to do it in two races in a row.

pace and consistency

One of the defining principles of greatness in Formula 1 is that a driver is able to overcome adversity over the course of a weekend, as well as perform above the level of their car, something extremely difficult in a class ruled by productivity. of machines. .

In this way it is understood why elements such as e.g Ayrton Senna, Fernando Alonso or Jackie Stewart be so highly regarded. These and many other names forged their reputations by winning without having to go out pole position, and not only that, but they did it outside the front line.

The Verstappen’s win at Spa-Francorchamps was his 11th of 29 in F1 in which he finished outside the top three. i.e. 37.9%. This is how the Dutchman is placed in the history of the category of queens.

The Red Bull driver’s display at the 2022 Belgian GP was proof that if the engine goes with it, it’s unbeatable. Despite starting 12 places behind teammate Checo Pérez, Verstappen needed 12 laps to pass the Mexican.

Without safety car no traffic or stop issues the dutch made 17 second lead respect to his teammate in 32 laps. This was the third time it happened in 2022, first in Imola and then in Baku. with the addition that Max started 14th.

How does Max Verstappen compare to other Formula 1 greats?

Consuming 63.6% of the 2022 season, the gap between Max Verstappen and runner-up Ceco Perez is 93 points, which, barring a disaster, will mean two championships for the Dutchman. If the Red Bull driver continues at this winning pace, he could achieve a unique record in Formula 1 history. With 9 wins to his credit, he needs just two to equal the best tally of the hybrid era (11, Lewis Hamilton in 2014), which is remarkable considering the length of the calendar.

With 8 Grands Prix ahead, including the race in his home country, Max Verstappen is on course to equal or surpass his record of 13 wins in the same season, founded by Michael Schumacher in 2004 and Sebastian Vettel in 2013. If he did, the 24-year-old would become the youngest to do so and reach an unparalleled pinnacle.

Verstappen’s showing in this 2022 is on track to put him in the same conversation with memorable years like the aforementioned Schumacher’s 2004 and 2002, Vettel’s 2011 and 2013, Jim Clark’s 1963, Juan Manuel Fangio’s 1954 Lewis20mil It can only be expected.