Auto RacingAutomobile racingMax VerstappenSergio PerezSportsSports - Europe Max Verstappen Seeks Unprecedented 10th Consecutive F1 Victory at Italy’s Monza Circuit by Andrew Wright September 1, 2023 written by Andrew Wright September 1, 2023 7 comments Bookmark 43 For Max Verstappen, the objective isn’t about setting records, but securing wins. The Red Bull Racing driver has a chance to accomplish both at the forthcoming Italian Grand Prix this Sunday, an opportunity to inscribe his name indelibly in the annals of Formula One history. Last weekend, at the Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen matched Sebastian Vettel’s F1 record of nine consecutive wins. The 25-year-old driver is now poised to surpass that milestone on the iconic Monza track. Verstappen’s singular focus, however, remains on victory. “In actuality, I never envisioned winning nine consecutive races,” Verstappen commented. “But now that the situation has presented itself, the aim is certainly to capture the 10th, although my primary focus is simply on winning.” Vettel established the record for successive wins back in 2013, during Red Bull’s initial period of dominance in which he claimed four consecutive championships. Verstappen recollects being astonished as a young adult when he watched the German driver set that record. “I remember witnessing that accomplishment and thinking, ‘That’s an incredible feat. I doubt anyone will replicate this,’” Verstappen added. “Yet, here we are, although I am not overly obsessed with it.” It would be a risky wager to bet against Verstappen achieving this ‘incredible feat’ at Monza, particularly given his dominance this season. His win last weekend extended his already considerable championship lead to 138 points as he edges closer to a third consecutive world title. He is also approaching his own F1 record of 15 annual wins, accumulating a total of 46 victories thus far, placing him fifth on the all-time wins list. He is within striking distance of surpassing Alain Prost (51) and even Vettel (53) with nine races remaining. Verstappen is already being discussed as one of the sport’s all-time greats, notwithstanding his relatively young age. “For me, personal opinions on my place in history do not drive my ambition. I didn’t enter Formula One to insert my name into lists,” Verstappen clarified. One factor that may benefit his competitors this weekend is Verstappen’s historically mediocre performance at the Italian Grand Prix. Although he broke his winless streak at Monza last year, his previous best finish was a fifth place in 2018. Despite Verstappen’s near-invincibility this year, some speculate that Red Bull might encounter difficulties at Monza, known for being the fastest circuit on the F1 calendar. Verstappen, for his part, remains undeterred. “People may have their own desires, but I believe this will be a favorable track for us,” he said. Table of Contents Gap to PérezStruggling FerrariFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Max Verstappen Italian Grand PrixWhat is the main focus of the text? Gap to Pérez The Red Bull Racing Team continues to dominate the constructors’ championship much like Verstappen dominates the drivers’ standings. The team is eyeing an extension of its record with a 15th consecutive win this Sunday, holding more than double the points of its nearest rival, Mercedes. However, the bulk of those points have been amassed by Verstappen, who has clinched 11 of the 13 races so far. His teammate, Sergio Pérez, has only managed two victories. Pérez acknowledges the challenge. “It’s been difficult to compete with him this season,” he said. “Regardless of the car’s condition, Max has consistently been able to extract optimal performance.” After some initial success, Pérez has had a lackluster mid-season. “I experienced some difficulties, but I believe those are behind me and anticipate strong performances moving forward,” Pérez added. Struggling Ferrari As for Ferrari, the team has struggled to live up to its own storied history at its home track, giving its passionate fan base, known as ‘tifosi,’ little to celebrate in recent years. The sole bright spot came in 2019 when Charles Leclerc secured a win, marking the team’s only victory at Monza since 2010. Leclerc was in contention last year but had to settle for second place due to a questionable strategy call from Ferrari. A series of ill-advised strategic moves and unforeseen events have marred Ferrari’s performance over the past two seasons. Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. face an uphill battle, although Leclerc remains optimistic. “I believe we will be more competitive here,” Leclerc said. “Whether it’s enough for a podium finish, I can’t say, but we will certainly give it our utmost effort.” For further coverage on auto racing, visit AP auto racing. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Max Verstappen Italian Grand Prix What is the main focus of the text? The main focus of the text is Max Verstappen’s attempt to secure a historic 10th consecutive win in Formula One at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The text also delves into the current dynamics within the Red Bull Racing team, Verstappen’s mindset, and other elements You Might Be Interested In Music and Entertainment Shine at Formula One’s First Las Vegas Grand Prix Flag football and cricket are among five sports nearing inclusion for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Undercover observers track racism, discrimination at European soccer games Paris 2024 chief pledges to find solutions to keep Olympic surfing in Tahiti after coral damage Sainz pips record-chasing Verstappen to pole position at Italian GP on good day for Ferrari Spalletti Brings Large Italian Flag Sewn by His Mother to New National Team Role Auto RacingAutomobile racingchampionship leadconsecutive winsconstructors' standingsFerrariFormula OneItalian Grand PrixMax VerstappenMonzaRed Bull RacingSergio PerezSports - Europe Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Andrew Wright Follow Author Andrew Wright is a business reporter who covers the latest news and trends in the world of finance and economics. He enjoys analyzing market trends and economic data, and he is always on the lookout for new opportunities for investors. previous post Smugglers are steering migrants into the remote Arizona desert, posing new Border Patrol challenges next post Loyd Nets 25 Points, Achieves Dual Milestones, Paving Seattle Storm’s 72-61 Triumph Over Struggling Sparks You may also like Bookmark Teenager Najiah Knight Strives to Break Barriers in... December 27, 2023 Bookmark USC’s JuJu Watkins is poised to step in... December 27, 2023 Bookmark Houston Texans claim safety Kareem Jackson off waivers... December 27, 2023 Bookmark Pistons Aim to Avert Historic 27th Consecutive Defeat... December 27, 2023 Bookmark Pistons try to avoid 27th straight loss and... December 27, 2023 Bookmark Analysis: Christmas Had a Mixed Impact on Super... December 26, 2023 7 comments SpeedFreak99 September 1, 2023 - 1:35 pm Seriously, if Verstappen pulls this off, he’s gonna be an F1 legend for sure. but hey, Monza is a tricky track, let’s not count our chickens yet. Reply FerrariFanatic September 1, 2023 - 3:56 pm Ugh, reading about Ferrari’s struggles is just painful. We need a win at Monza, badly. I mean Leclerc and Sainz are good but something’s just off. Reply JohnDoe42 September 1, 2023 - 11:19 pm Wow, Max is really killin’ it this season. Can’t wait for the race on Sunday. He’s pretty down to earth for a guy about to break records, isn’t he? Reply RacingGuru September 1, 2023 - 11:34 pm Monza’s a game-changer, mark my words. The fastest track in the calendar could throw in some surprises. Hope Red Bull’s done their homework. Reply PetrolHead September 2, 2023 - 3:13 am 46 wins at just 25, Verstappen’s career is looking more impressive by the race. And the guy isn’t even too focused on the records, just wants to win. Respect. Reply CryptoCraze September 2, 2023 - 5:48 am Verstappen seems pretty chill about the whole record thing. Guess when you’re that good, records just come naturally. looking forward to the race. Reply Wheel2Wheel September 2, 2023 - 7:42 am Red Bull’s on fire too! 15 straight wins in sight. That’s insane. But, wonder what’s up with Perez? Guy needs to step up, he’s got the same car! Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ