Verstappen's 'perfect' F1® campaign the most dominant Horner has seen
Wednesday, 9 November 2022
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says Max Verstappen's "perfect" 2022 campaign is the most dominant he has seen during his time in Formula 1®.
Verstappen retained his world title with four races to spare by emerging victorious at last month's Japanese Grand Prix, and he has since posted wins in the United States and Mexico.
The Dutchman broke F1®'s single-season wins record – previously shared with Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel – at the Mexican Grand Prix, securing his 14th race victory of 2022.
The numbers, therefore, back up Horner's claims this has been a season like no other for Verstappen.
Asked whether his driver had produced the best campaign in recent memory, Horner said: "There's been years of domination with Mercedes, but I think, as an individual driver, probably yes.
"He's won the most grands prix in a year now, within 22 races. On top of that, he's won two sprint races, and he's not won all of them from pole position. He's had to fight and race for a lot of those victories.
"I think when we look back at the end of the year, it is an absolutely outstanding year that Max has driven. He hasn't put a wheel wrong.
"He's been perfect throughout the season. It's incredible, the level of consistency that he's been able to achieve."
Last year, Verstappen became the first Red Bull driver to win the world championship since Vettel clinched the last of his four successive titles in 2013, and Horner believes he does not get the recognition he deserves.
"They are two very different drivers, two phenomenally successful drivers," Horner said of Verstappen and Vettel.
"I think that what Sebastian has achieved in his career puts him among the greats and most successful drivers in the sport, but I think Max, what we're seeing today and this year, we're actually witnessing something very special.
"I actually think his achievements sometimes don't receive the plaudits that they should, because I think what we've witnessed this year is an absolutely outstanding performance from a driver that is very much at the top of his game."
Two races left 💪 Let’s end 2022 on a high 🙌 #GivesYouWings pic.twitter.com/8Dh6Jm3qCs
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) November 8, 2022
