As the dust settles following the controversial end to the season, there have been questions left on whether Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton have been 'robbed' of the title after a controversial Safety Car led to a last gasp overtake to crown the first Dutch World Champion. However, whatever camp you fall into, Max or Lewis, it cannot be denied that Formula One has crowned a deserving, maverick champion. The stats below shine a light on a truly remarkable season for the Dutchman.
The headline numbers speak for themselves. 10 victories, 10 pole positions, 6 fastest laps, 395.5 points and a record breaking 18 podiums. To achieve such numbers in a season involving such an intense title battle with a 7 time champion, Lewis Hamilton, is a remarkable achievement. The fact that both drivers took 18 of the 22 wins between them speaks volumes of how deserving both would've been to be champion. However, based on his performances relative to the car at particular points in the season it could've been seen as a tragedy for Verstappen not to have came out on top, based on his multiple periods of dominance until Mercedes' late rally in the last 5 races of the season.
A fierce on track rival, with clear mutual respect off track.
A fierce on track rival, with clear mutual respect off track.
This season saw Verstappen claim 10 pole positions, double that of title rival Lewis Hamilton, with the Dutchman having only taken 3 previously in his career. Despite the undoubted improvement of the Red Bull versus their rivals, having been less affected by the rear downforce rule changes due to their high rake philosophy, Max was imperious in qualifying, comprehensively beating Perez in the qualifying duel 20-2, which included Russia from which he started at the back of the grid. An average qualifying position of 2.81 was second to only Hamilton (2.14) and his ability to pull a lap out to split the Mercedes cars when his team mate was nowhere kept him in the hunt of race victories at tracks not as suited to the Red Bull such as Brazil, Spain and Britain.
The season was billed as a two way fight between Max and Lewis, however, the Dutchman had to contend with the (at times) flying Finn of Valterri Bottas, who claimed 4 pole positions, meaning Mercedes theoretically had more control of the race strategy. Perez being on average over half a second off in Qualifying and struggling on race pace for much of the season, something that will need to improve if the rules reset brings other teams closer to the front. This meant Max had to often battle both Mercedes on strategy and wheel to wheel. Despite this, he wasn't once beaten by both Silver Arrows over the whole season, a testament to his race pace and his teams' strategy calls. He also picked up the joint most fastest laps, bagging 5 extra points across the season with his 6 fastest lap awards equal to title rival Hamilton. Both drivers were relentless in maximising point scoring opportunities all season.
The consistency throughout the season is the main standout. Despite 3 DNF's of which potentially two, certainly one, were not his fault and a remarkable 9th in Hungary with a ruined floor (courtesy of Monsieur Bottas), Verstappen finished no lower than second all season. He scored 10 victories and an unprecedented 18 podiums in one season, just beating out Hamilton's 17. He led 652 laps this season (54% of the laps he raced), 7 more than everyone else combined, dominating multiple races, particularly between Monaco and Austria. Additionally, he didn't seem to have any of the strange off days that the Brit suffered at Monaco, Azerbaijan and Imola, an impressive feat due to the Brits famous consistency. On pace he would have finished on the podium at every race, something achieved only by Michael Schumacher in 2002 and at times it seemed he didn't have the luck required in a close title battle; that is until the last 5.281 km of the season. These stats prove he has the consistency required to sustain a title charge over a whole season, confidence he can bring into the new era of Formula One cars.
Verstappen celebrating victory at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix.
Verstappen celebrating victory at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix.
“I love you guys. Can we do this for another 10-15 years together?”
Verstappen, Abu Dhabi
Through all the statistics it is easy to forget the excitement, intensity and controversy that accompanied performances from two drivers a cut above the rest. Summing up this season through statistics wouldn't do justice to the thrill of watching these two go wheel to wheel on and sometimes beyond the limit. Verstappen has, rightly or wrongly, established himself as a driver to be feared with his raw pace and aggression, which admittedly overstepped the mark in Brazil and particularly Saudi Arabia. His will to win at all costs has earned him comparisons to Schumacher and Senna and at the age of 24 with 20 victories to his name. He is already equal with Mika Hakkinen in 16th on the list of all time race wins and is within 5 wins of the top 10, with a competitive Red Bull underneath him, who knows what number he will end up on.
The excitement must also be matched with caution, despite an outstanding season, he required a string of luck in Abu Dhabi to finally clinch the title and he will face a revitalised Mercedes with a young, fast and uncompromising George Russell joining the Silver Arrows. In addition, an optimistic Ferrari, for whom switched development towards 2022 more quickly than Red Bull may provide an unexpected threat. However, in a team shaped around him much like Vettel before him and Hamilton at Mercedes, Max has found the perfect environment in which for him to thrive at Red Bull. His out pour of emotion at the chequered flag at the finale, shows the bond he has with his team and with the weight of winning a title now off his shoulders (subject to whether Mercedes appeal), there is no limit to what he can achieve…..
Victory at Zandvoort in front of 200,000 Dutch fans, one of his finest drives of the season.
Victory at Zandvoort in front of 200,000 Dutch fans, one of his finest drives of the season.
Keyword: MAGIC MAX: HIS YEAR THROUGH NUMBERS