The championships for drivers and constructors have already swung in Verstappen and Red Bull’s favor. Max Verstappen and Red Bull enter the closing stretch of the 2023 World Cup with five big prizes on the line, and still some incentives ahead. The Inter-American Circuit in Austin (COTA) hosts a triple-header on American soil this weekend, followed by races in Mexico and Brazil. A brief pause will precede the eagerly anticipated debut in Las Vegas and the traditional finale in Abu Dhabi.
Claiming his third title with even greater authority, Verstappen races not only for glory but to leave an enduring mark on the sport. Austin is ripe with record opportunities. With another sprint weekend on the calendar, ‘Mad’ Max can notch a maximum of 34 points and push his career victory total to 50.
In Qatar, he clinched the World Cup in the sprint on Saturday and then won on Sunday, boosting his personal tally to 14 victories in 17 Grands Prix. If the 26-year-old Dutchman repeats that feat in the United States, he will match his own season win record of 15, set in 2022. There will still be four more chances to add to that tally.
[World Formula 1 Championship Standings]
In the coming weeks, Verstappen will close in on two all-time greats, Alain Prost (51 wins) and Sebastian Vettel (53). The efficiency percentage of the Frenchman stands at 25.63% and the German at 17.73%. Verstappen already leads both with 27.22%.
And there is little doubt that improvement will continue through the remainder of the season. If he triumphs in all five remaining races, the three-time Red Bull champion would rise to third place in this ranking. Only Lewis Hamilton (103 wins, 31.50%) and Michael Schumacher (91 wins, 29.64%) would sit ahead.
Verstappen also spearheads Red Bull’s bid to topple a seemingly invincible record. During its peak years, Mercedes claimed 19 wins in the 2019 season. This year, the energy-drink company has captured 16 of a possible 17 wins with five races left. If they cannot seal the ultimate domination, it will be because Carlos Sainz stands in their way in Singapore.
Red Bull could surpass the best McLaren of all time, led by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. The Woking team won 15 of 16 races in 1988 with an efficiency of 93.75%. Red Bull could finish the season with 21 wins from 22 races, achieving the highest percentage ever recorded: 95.45%.
[Season Calendar of Formula 1]
FIA and the dominant cycle
The dwindling excitement around the 2023 World Cup has led to a noticeable drop in spectator interest. This contrasts with the record-breaking attendance figures Formula 1 posted in 2021 and 2022 under the Liberty Media era. New FIA and FOM regulations introduced last year promised more parity on track, but the results have not matched expectations.
It is true that, absent the near-ubiquitous dominance of Red Bull and Verstappen, the season would likely have featured a tighter battle among several teams. Instead, some paddock voices argue that the leaders of the sport could intervene to rebalance competition.
FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem has stated a willingness to consider ideas that enhance the show while maintaining a level playing field. He noted, “Verstappen’s situation has been seen before with Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. How do you stop it? You don’t punish success.”
— Attribution note: commentary based on season performance and official standings, with historical comparisons attributed to season archives and team records.