Formula 1 is moving to Paul Ricard to kick off the second half of the 2022 championship with the French Grand Prix. Red Bull has dominated in both the championships so far, with Max Verstappen leading the way from the front. The Dutchman has won six races so far in 2022 and currently has a 38-point lead over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in the drivers’ standings.
The reigning world championship is now set to achieve another unique record for Red Bull during the upcoming race in France. The 24-year-old will become the most experienced driver for Red Bull as he will make his 130th GP start for the Milton Keynes-based outfit. Max will overtake Make Webber to become the top driver with most race starts for Red Bull. Webber held the incredible record since his retirement at the end of the Brazilian GP in 2013.
Max Verstappen To Become Most Experienced Red Bull Driver
Red Bull entered Formula 1 racing in 2005. Since then, only four drivers have been a part of more than a hundred races for Red Bull. The list includes Max Verstappen, Mark Webber, Sebastian Vettel, and Daniel Ricciardo. Max won his maiden F1 championship last year after defeating the seven-time champ Lewis Hamilton in a close encounter. It all came down to the last race of 2021 in Abu Dhabi, which went in Max’s favor after a late safety car restart allowed him to overtake the Briton in the final lap. Verstappen led the team to get quite close to the constructors’ championship as well.
The Dutchman came to Red Bull in 2016 and shocked everyone by winning his first race on debut at the Spanish Grand Prix. Since his debut, the 24-year-old has won 26 races, secured 68 podiums, and started on 16 pole positions in his six-year-long career. After his championship win in 2021, Verstappen signed an extension deal, which will take him until the end of 2028.
Speaking ahead of the french weekend, Max Verstappen told, “I have been a part of the team for a long time. Hopefully, we will spend many more years together. I feel good about the team. Loyalty is a part of it.”
It would be very pleasing for Red Bull and Verstappen if he managed to win the race during his 130th start. Red Bull has fallen back in recent time, with Ferrari winning two back-to-back races in Silverstone and Austria. Thus, with Mercedes getting strong to battle for a win, it would be more difficult for Red Bull to secure a victory in Paul Ricard.