Verstappen responds to Hamilton’s claim that he, too, has experienced a victory drought
With 103 F1 victories to his name, Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver in the history of the sport. But the seven-time world champion hasn't stood on the top step of the podium since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021. His rival, Max Verstappen, puts his record in perspective.
Jeddah, December 5, 2021, 8:36 PM, Lewis Hamilton probably didn’t know it yet, but he would win that evening, during the first-ever Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, his 103rd and so far, last victory in the premier category of motorsport.
Since his arrival in the discipline in 2007, the seven-time world champion has won at least one race per season, first with McLaren until 2012, and then with Mercedes starting in 2013.
With the German team, the British driver has started 174 times and won 82 times. But since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021, victory has eluded the No. 44, despite securing his 104th pole position on the Budapest circuit. In the previous season, Mercedes only won one race, the Brazilian Grand Prix, where another British driver, his teammate George Russell, played “God Save the King” after the race.
« I managed to achieve a victory from time to time »
If Max Verstappen has been enjoying success for the past two years, the Dutchman took some time before winning more regularly.
“I managed to get a victory from time to time. Well, periods like this can happen, but I prefer not to think about it. Because it devours the necessary energy within you,” explains Max Verstappen to the Swiss newspaper Blick, referring to his 2017 season marked by numerous retirements before winning his second race.
« I am very attentive to what is happening behind the scenes. Every background noise or problem must be stopped. There is no other way for such a large community of interests like Red Bull to function », declares the Dutch person.
