Ex-Formula 1 driver Mark Webber believes reigning World Champion Max Verstappen will match Sebastian Vettel’s record for nine consecutive wins at next weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.
Verstappen has been unstoppable in 2023 and is on the brink of claiming yet another record, this time for most consecutive wins in Formula 1.
Vettel achieved nine consecutive wins back in 2013, on his way to claiming a fourth Drivers’ Championship.
Verstappen is very much on his way to a third consecutive title, something he’ll claim imminently.
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It’s not just the Dutchman who is breaking records this season, as Red Bull also broke a record which had stood since 1988.
Red Bull recently eclipsed McLaren’s run of 11 wins in a row, with the Austrians having since moved onto 13 consecutive victories.
Ex-Red Bull driver Webber believes it’s a phenomenal achievement by the side, given how easy it is for things to go wrong.
“To get that level of advantage with the depth of competition in F1… There’s so many, so many opportunities to make mistakes; whether it’s pit stops, reliability, presentation of the car, driver errors, but it’s just been a run for the ages,” Webber told F1.com.
“And obviously [McLaren in] 1988 was the last time it happened.”
As for Verstappen, Webber expects the 25-year-old to match Vettel’s nine-race winning streak at his home race next weekend.
“I think the world would like to see him win his home race,” Webber said.
“To do the business there would be extraordinary. He should win that one and then he’s equal.”
Verstappen is expected to match Vettel’s record and then potentially even eclipse it at the Italian Grand Prix, which would see him move onto 11 wins in a row.
He’s actually closing in on breaking his own record for most wins in a season, which he claimed last year after winning 15 times.
Webber doesn’t see anyone stopping the Dutchman anytime soon, with there being “no pressure on him” due to his huge 125-point lead.
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“He’s [Verstappen] the one out there executing,” Webber added. “He’s dancing when the curtains go back and he goes out on stage and does it.
“We know the level of intensity he brings – he’s top drawer. For the opposition, of course, he’s now well-established in his career, he’s got an immense amount of experience.
“He’s going to enjoy the break, he’s going to come back refreshed. And I think because there’s even no pressure on him, it’s even more of an advantage for him.”