Red Bull had an otherworldly season, utterly dominating rival teams with the formidable Max Verstappen leading from the front. Over the course of the F1 calendar, Verstappen took down flags, making and breaking records in the process.
The Red Bull ace has individually secured 19 out of 22 races in the 2023 F1 season. While it did break records left and right, Verstappen’s 2023 campaign might have been the individual best single season display yet.
Did Max Verstappen have the best single-season performance in 2023?
Undeniably, Max Verstappen had a sensational year in 2023, with the young driver breaking numerous records held by the previous legendary drivers. Following his recent victory at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, the Red Bull driver has achieved a remarkable series of victories, securing back-to-back three World Championship titles and shattering numerous records, such as the most laps led in a season and the biggest points gap to second in the championship.
The Dutch sensation’s victory in Las Vegas has also been joined by his other wins in Miami and Austin, which clearly indicate that Verstappen has won 19 out of the 22 races held in the 2023 season, a triumph that might not be truly possible for any other driver on the grid.
Max Verstappen:
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) January 21, 2024
"It cannot always be like this, I know that."
"The season we’ve had has been probably the best single season performance in F1, in terms of stats and records."
"I think I just have to manage my expectations from now on. That’s just something that you have to… pic.twitter.com/ndT7yhyUmQ
Living up to his name as a “one-man army,” Verstappen has also broken a 60-year-old record, having led for 29 laps before grabbing the chequered flag. All of these significant achievements solely secured the title of triple world champion, undeniably highlighting the fact that this season has been the most dominant single-season display from any driver from the F1 circuit.
Verstappen himself has also acknowledged that mirroring his performances from the 2023 season may not be possible for him in the upcoming seasons, labelling the previous season as his “personal best” one so far in his entire career.
Max Verstappen will have only one credible challenger in 2024
The preparation for the 2024 Formula 1 season has been intense, with every team planning to surpass the “Unbeatable Bulls” on the tracks. However, former motorsports icon Eddie Jordan has pointed out the drivers who could be a potential threat to the Dutch sensation in the upcoming season.
Eddie Jordan claims he ‘no longer trusts Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso’ to challenge Max Verstappen. 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: https://t.co/NbRJ0BnX5o 🗣️🏁 pic.twitter.com/wF6lKiuGXF
— Car Man (@CarManToday) January 20, 2024
Eddie has made a powerful statement, claiming that Hamilton and Alonso no longer have the capability of coping with Verstappen.
He said, “If I had a top team now and didn’t get Max, there would only be one driver pairing capable of taking on Verstappen: Charles Leclerc and as team-mate Lando Norris.”
Although he also firmly stated that young drivers like Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris still have a burning desire for victory, this could prove to be a significant threat to Red Bull, preferably in the upcoming season.
Whom do you think has the qualities to surpass Verstappen on the grid? Tell us in the comment section below.
