Max Verstappen extended his record for wins in a Formula One season, capturing his 19th victory at the circuit’s 2023 finale on Sunday at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The previous record was 15, set by Verstappen in 2022. He eclipsed that weeks ago en route to 19 wins in 22 events — the most dominant season by a driver in F1 history.
His Red Bull team was victorious in all but one race on the season. Teammate Sergio Perez won races at Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan in the spring, and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz triumphed at Singapore in September.
Verstappen locked up the drivers’ title — his third — at the Qatar Grand Prix in October and wound up earning a record 575 points. Perez finished second in the standings, 290 points behind, as Verstappen also set the record for the largest gap between first and second place.
“An incredible season. It was a bit emotional on the in lap,” said Verstappen, 26, of the Netherlands. “The last time I was sitting in the car that has of course given me a lot. Of course, very proud to win here, also at the last race.
Sunday’s win was the 54th of his career for Verstappen, who has the third-most wins ever behind Lewis Hamilton (103) and Michael Schumacher (91).
Hamilton finished third in the driver standings.
On Sunday, Verstappen led 52 of the 58 laps and finished ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell.
(Published 26 November 2023, 15:48 IST)