Max Verstappen keeps writing his story in Formula 1 after his masterclass at the Brazilian GP. He has just broken a historic record by leading the championship for more than 897 consecutive days.
On May 22, 2022, Verstappen took the lead Charles Leclerc in the driver standings and never dropped below that spot again, not in 2022, nor 2023, and not even in the 2024 F1 season. With the year ending soon, this record could stretch even further, leaving him the undisputed holder of this unprecedented achievement.
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Which record are we talking about?
To put it into perspective, the legendary Michael Schumacher held the previous record, dominating F1 from September 2000 to March 2003. But Max Verstappen? He’s been nearly unbeatable, showing no mercy to his rivals since his first title at the end of 2021. On May 22, 2022, he took the lead in the standings after finishing ahead of Charles Leclerc at the Spanish Grand Prix. This day was the start of a streak that wouldn’t stop throughout 2022, 2023, and this season in 2024. It’s a surreal achievement! Now, Verstappen has held the top spot in the F1 driver standings for over 897 days. For comparison, even drivers like Hamilton and Vettel, who ruled their respective eras, never managed a streak this long.
A 2024 season still under his control
For the 2024 season, Verstappen has continued to dominate the tracks, with a 62-point lead over his closest rival, Lando Norris. With such a comfortable margin, he could very well secure a fourth consecutive title in Las Vegas on November 23, 2024. And if that happens, his position at the top will be guaranteed at least until the start of the 2025 season, allowing him to surpass the symbolic 1000 days at number 1. This astonishing and surreal figure reflects a rare domination in F1 history. In addition to this longevity record, Verstappen also holds several other impressive records: most wins in a season, most consecutive wins, and the youngest race winner. His ability to consistently perform has already made him one of the greatest drivers of all time, leaving his mark on the sport with an efficient, aggressive, and relentlessly consistent driving style.
Been a while since we last talked about Max breaking a new record, well he’s about to break another one
This Sunday, Max will be leading the F1 Championship for 897 consecutive days, and will beat the current record held by Michael Schumacher of 896. pic.twitter.com/bE1GLGJcrj
— formula.jokes (@FormulaJokes) October 31, 2024
Is Max Verstappen unbeatable?
The question everyone is asking: how far will Max Verstappen go? With such stable performances, one might wonder if he’s redefining the standard of excellence in F1. Could this streak of days at the top last even longer than Schumacher’s, and perhaps become unbeatable? In such a competitive sport, seeing a driver maintain such consistency remains exceptional. At just 27 years old, Verstappen could continue this path and add more titles and records to his resume. However, as we saw this year, many teams have closed the gap on Red Bull, Verstappen’s team. Indeed, The Scuderia Ferrari and McLaren F1 team are in the race, and with at least three constructors battling for the win every weekend, I think it will be tough for the Dutch driver to extend his record endlessly.
F1 drivers united for their biggest battle and for once it’s not on the track
This article takes a closer look at Max Verstappen’s incredible 897-day streak at the top of the F1 championship, breaking Michael Schumacher’s long-standing record. It explores how Verstappen has continued to dominate into the 2024 season and reflects on what his remarkable achievements might mean for the future of the sport.
Featured image: Red Bull Content pool
