Max Verstappen had an incredible season in Formula 1, taking the title battle down to the wire against Lando Norris. While he ultimately fell short, his resurgence in the second half of the season was nothing short of remarkable. Initially, the McLaren duo seemed to have the edge over the rest of the field, leaving Verstappen trailing behind. However, after the race in Zandvoort, where he finished a distant second, everything changed. The upgraded Red Bull car found its form, and Verstappen emerged as a major contender for the championship.
Despite his best efforts, Verstappen lost out to Norris by just two points in the end. But if he had clinched the title, he would have achieved some incredible career milestones. Let’s delve into what those accomplishments would have looked like.
Firstly, Verstappen would have set a new record for overcoming the biggest points deficit to win the championship. He had already achieved this feat in 2022 by overturning a 46-point deficit to Charles Leclerc. But this time, he would have surpassed that by overcoming a whopping 104-point deficit to Oscar Piastri.
Additionally, winning the title would have put Verstappen on par with legends like Michael Schumacher, as he would have equaled Schumacher’s record of five consecutive championships. Only Schumacher has achieved this feat before, from 2000 to 2004.
Verstappen also holds a unique record with Nelson Piquet for winning the most driver championships when their teams failed to secure the title. If he had won the championship this season, he would have extended this record further.
Furthermore, Verstappen would have become the first driver to win five F1 championships before turning 30, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s youngest and most successful champions. Both Michael Schumacher and Juan Manuel Fangio achieved their fifth titles after turning 30, making Verstappen’s potential accomplishment even more impressive.
Lastly, a fifth championship win would have made Verstappen the most successful driver in Red Bull’s history in terms of the number of championships won, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s record of four titles.
In conclusion, while Verstappen narrowly missed out on the championship this season, his potential achievements had he won the title are truly extraordinary. His talent, determination, and competitive spirit have solidified his place among the all-time greats of Formula 1.
