Verstappen has been dominant alongside his Red Bull team throughout the 2023 season. The Austrian team has won every of the 15 races so far this season with the Dutchman winning 13 of them.
Verstappen celebrating his 10th win in a row at Monza (Image Credit: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Verstappen's dominant 2023 season
If you thought Verstappen had a dominant season in 2022, then 2023 will blow your mind. The Dutchman has won 13 of the 15 races within the 2023 season - with his team Red Bull winning 100% of the 2023 season, leaving every other team with no chance to compete.
Red Bull experienced dominance for the first time in the early 2010's with Sebastian Vettel. The German won four consecutive world championships - during the years of 2010-2013.
Vettel would have his most dominant years in 2011, where he would secure 15 pole positions and 2013, where he would win nine races consecutively.
The Austrian team would then have to experience seven years of hurt during the turbo hybrid era, which was dominated by Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. Hamilton was able to win six world championships and Nico Rosberg won one in 2016.
However, the last year of the regulations saw a floor change that would benefit Red Bull's high-rake philosophy, earning Verstappen his first world championship narrowly and controversially.
Red Bull would then nail the new ground-effects regulations in 2022, battling with Ferrari at the front of the grid. However, the Austrian team were able to out-develop the Maranello team, leading to a comfortable second world championship for Verstappen.
2023 saw Red Bull continue their fine form with themselves well clear in the constructors' championship with them looking to secure their third consecutive constructors' title.
Verstappen also broke Sebastian Vettel's record of nine consecutive race wins last weekend at the Italian Grand Prix. The Dutchman won his 10th race in a row at Monza, breaking the record.
Is Verstappen's 2023 season more dominant than Schumacher's 2002 season?
Michael Schumacher is one of the greatest drivers of all time. The German has the joint-most world championships, equalling with Lewis Hamilton on seven world championships.
Schumacher experienced most of his success at Ferrari, where he would win five of his seven world championships. Two of his world championships were won with Benetton earlier on in his career.
Out of the five world championships he won with Ferrari, 2002 was the most dominant season we have seen in Formula 1 history so far.
Back then, there was only 17 races on the calendar compared to the 24 races that will be present on the calendar next season in 2024. However, it does not take away from how truly dominant Schumacher was.
The seven-time world champion would win 11 of the 17 races in 2002. He would also be present on the podium for every single race that took place in 2002.
The German would go on to win the title at the French Grand Prix, which was round 11 of the championship. This meant that he won the championship with five races to spare - a truly remarkable achievement.
Verstappen could mathematically win the 2023 world championship as early as the Japanese Grand Prix, which is round 17 of the championship. The Dutchman won the 2022 world championship at the United States Grand Prix, which was later on in the season.
However, if Verstappen was to win the championship in Suzuka, he would win it with six races still to go, which would be more races to spare than Schumacher had in 2002.
There will be a lot of debate in the future of which season was more dominant between Verstappen and Schumacher. If Verstappen did clinch the title in Japan, which season would you say was more dominant?
Nathan Hartley
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