1. Record-Breaking 10 Victories
Max Verstappen secured a remarkable 10 wins during the 2021 season. This achievement highlighted his consistent performance and ability to convert pole positions and strong grid starts into race victories, demonstrating unparalleled speed and race craft throughout the championship, often in thrilling wheel-to-wheel battles.
2. Most Pole Positions
Verstappen achieved a career-high 10 pole positions in 2021. Securing P1 on the grid repeatedly proved crucial, providing a strategic advantage from the outset of races and showcasing the raw pace of both the Red Bull car and Verstappen's qualifying prowess, setting new benchmarks for his F1 career.
3. Highest Lap Lead
He led an astounding 652 laps during the 2021 season. This statistic vividly illustrates Verstappen's control and dominance in many races, spending the majority of his race time at the front, dictating the pace and managing his tires effectively under immense pressure from championship rivals.
4. Unprecedented Podium Count
Max Verstappen visited the podium an incredible 18 times in 2021. This consistent presence in the top three, achieving at least a podium finish in all but two races, underscored his reliability and the Red Bull Racing team's exceptional performance throughout the demanding calendar.
5. Most Fastest Laps
The Dutch driver set the fastest lap in 7 races during his championship year. This not only earned him crucial bonus points but also demonstrated the sheer speed and outright performance of the Red Bull package, especially in the closing stages of races when pushing to the absolute limit.
6. Decisive Abu Dhabi Victory
His last-lap overtake for the win at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix secured the title. After a season-long intense rivalry, this dramatic and controversial finale cemented Verstappen's maiden world championship, a victory achieved through a bold strategy and an electrifying late charge under intense scrutiny.
7. Career Reached New Heights
The 2021 season marked Verstappen's maiden Formula 1 World Championship title. This monumental achievement capped years of development and intense rivalry, establishing him as a World Champion and a prominent figure in motorsport history, confirming his status as a future legend at that time.