Max Verstappen’s 2022 performance is not getting the recognition it deserves, according to Christian Horner.
“We are witnessing something very special,” Horner told reporters after the Mexican Grand Prix. “Sometimes I think Max’s performance doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. I think what we have seen this season is an outstanding performance from a driver who is at the peak of his game.”
Verstappen claimed his 14th win of the 2022 season when he took the lead at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. The Dutchman broke the record of 13 wins in a season set by Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel in 2004 and 2013 respectively.
Verstappen and Red Bull’s dominance this season has been reflected in many other aspects. The 25-year-old now has 416 points, surpassing Lewis Hamilton’s record of 413 in 2019. This is partly due to a change in the points system, which gives drivers points for fastest laps.
The Red Bull drivers have won nine races in a row and have won 16 of the 20 races they have raced this season. They have won both the drivers’ and teams’ titles for the first time since 2013. Verstappen and Red Bull still have two more races to go in Brazil and Abu Dhabi to improve their tally.
“Max has won almost every race this year. He hasn’t started every race. That shows how much he has fought to get to where he is today. When you look back at the season, you can see how perfect Max is. He hasn’t put a wheel wrong once. The consistency he has shown is almost absolute,” Horner praised.