Is Max Verstappen rewriting the Formula 1 record books? These special achievements are (soon) within the Red Bull driver’s reach!
Max Verstappen is the man of the hour in Formula 1: Since 2021, he has won the world championship title four times in a row and set numerous records – including as the youngest Grand Prix winner at 18 years old, with 19 victories in just one season, and with ten consecutive Grand Prix victories.
If his form continues to improve, then further best performances will come within reach for Verstappen. This article provides an overview of the Formula 1 records that could soon be Verstappen’s.
For example, he could become Formula One world champion for the fifth time in a row as early as 2025, thus drawing level with Michael Schumacher. Schumacher won the drivers’ title for Ferrari five years in a row from 2000 to 2004. Verstappen could do the same for Red Bull from 2021 to 2025 – and would have the opportunity to add another title in 2026.
With a contract running up to and including 2028, there would also theoretically be the chance to break the world championship record, which is currently shared by Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, both with seven titles. If Verstappen maintains his run in the World Championship, he could be the first eight-time world champion at the end of 2028.
Verstappen soon to be most successful driver for a team?
Before then, Verstappen could break further records. Provided he fulfills his current Red Bull contract, he would overtake Hamilton as the driver with the most races for a team in 2027. This record currently stands at 246 Grands Prix (for Mercedes), and Verstappen already has 186 (for Red Bull).
With 63 Grand Prix victories for Red Bull to date, Verstappen is also set to overtake Schumacher and Hamilton in the coming years: Schumacher had a total of 72 victories for Ferrari from 1996 to 2006, while Hamilton had a total of 84 for Mercedes from 2013 to 2024.
It also seems realistic that he will surpass Hamilton’s long-term record of 265 consecutive race starts. Hamilton’s streak was interrupted in Bahrain in 2020 when he was forced out due to illness and replaced by then-Williams driver George Russell.
Verstappen has currently competed in 209 consecutive Grands Prix without a break. To match the record, he would not have to miss a single race until mid-2027.
Alonso’s participation record: Not within reach for Verstappen
But can Verstappen one day catch up with Formula 1’s record participant? At the moment, that’s a moving target because the current leader, Fernando Alonso, is still competing. So Verstappen can’t catch up at the moment; instead, the gap to Alonso remains constant – at 192 Grands Prix. That’s almost exactly the same number of races as Verstappen has contested in Formula 1 since 2016!
Should Alonso end his career after the 2026 season, Verstappen would have to stay active for at least eight more years beyond 2026 – at 24 Grands Prix per season – to catch up with Alonso. And Verstappen has repeatedly indicated that he doesn’t really want to race that long.
Whether Verstappen achieves this particular record or other best performances ultimately depends on when he wants to retire from Formula 1.
