Max Verstappen will match two records set by the iconic Michael Schumacher if he triumphs at the US Grand Prix this weekend. The Dutchman is already assured of the 2022 F1 title following his win at Suzuka, which gave him an unassailable 113-point lead in the drivers’ standings with still four races remaining.
However, his success has been somewhat overshadowed by the recent controversy surrounding Red Bull, who have been found guilty of exceeding the budget cap for 2021. It has led to calls for Verstappen to be stripped of his first title last year, the credibility of which was already doubted by many following the dubious finish to the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
McLaren are among the teams to write to the FIA to accuse Red Bull of ‘cheating’, while Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto has also argued that overspending would have helped Christian Horner’s team steal a march for this 2022 campaign as well. However, the transgression is reportedly considered only a minor breach by authorities, with the team around £1.8 million over the set limit.
But regardless, it has been a dominant season from Verstappen, who already has 12 race wins to his name – two more than he notched in 2021. And another victory in Austin this Sunday would see him equal Schumacher’s record mark of 13 back in 2002.
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However, the German legend’s feat was achieved in just an 18-race season – the same amount that has already take place this time around. So should the world champion prevail this weekend, he would still have taken one Grand Prix more than Schumacher to reach 12 wins.
Verstappen also has the chance to become only the sixth F1 driver to record back to back wins in America. Schumacher is among the five to have done it so far, having won at Indianapolis in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006
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