Suzuka, Japan – After earning his second consecutive Formula One world championship at Suzuka on Sunday, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen plans to win more races and shatter more records this season.
The victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, which catapulted Verstappen to an exclusive club of multiple world champions, was the Dutch driver’s 12th in 18 races.
This puts him on track to break the record for most victories in a single season with four rounds remaining.
This record is shared by seven-time world champion and Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel, who won four consecutive championships with Red Bull from 2010 to 2013.
Instead of the current record of 22 races, Schumacher (2004) and Vettel (2013) dominated with 18 and 19, respectively.
Verstappen can tie the record at the next race in Austin, Texas, which he won last year from pole position.
Verstappen told reporters on Sunday, “There is no longer any significant pressure, but I still want to attempt to win more races.”
“With the car we have now, you must strive to make the most of it since you don’t know if you’ll have it again next year or in the years to come.
Therefore, we will endeavor to win a couple more games.
If Verstappen wins in Austin, he will be able to attempt the record at his teammate Sergio Perez’s home race in Mexico.
Last year, Perez, 32, finished on the podium with Verstappen taking first place. After victories in Monaco and Singapore, the Mexican will be eager to give his ardent fans a victory to enjoy at home.
Verstappen would need to win the final four races of the season to surpass Schumacher’s victory percentage of 72.2% from 2004 and set a new record for the contemporary era.
Prior to Singapore, the race preceding Japan, the 25-year-old had a five-race winning streak.
Verstappen, who is now tied with double world champion Fernando Alonso on 32 career victories, stated, “It’s been a great pleasurable year and of course, a really exceptional year, which I think will be very difficult to duplicate in the future.”
“Therefore, I believe we should truly appreciate and enjoy it.”