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Impressive statistics for Verstappen: Only 69 F1 drivers have started more races

Impressive statistics for Verstappen: Only 69 F1 drivers have started more races

10-02-2020 10:09

Max Verstappen is only 22-years-old, but he is rapidly becoming one of the most experienced drivers on the grid. The Dutchman has started 102 Grands Prix which sits inside the top 10% on the all-time list. That could prove vital when he gets into his first battle for the F1 world championship. 

And this is one of the reasons why Motorsport journalist Chris Medland believes Aston Martin Red Bull Racing have a serious title contender for the 2020 Formula 1 season. Medland, a journalist at RACER, mainly makes a comparison between Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. In a similar situation, Verstappen is, according to him, the dead-end favourite.

“Every top team has a driver who can win the world championship, that's for sure. I am 100 per cent sure of this for Verstappen. I recently looked up his statistics and this is perhaps a little misleading by drivers who only used the Indy 500 in the past, but he is already one of the top 10 per cent most experienced Formula 1 drivers in history and he is 22," Medland said in the Missed Apex podcast. 

“If you look at it differently, there are only 69 drivers in history who started more races than he did. This is someone who may only be 22, but he is ready to win the championship."

The battle of the '20s

Most of the Formula 1 community are expecting a battle between Leclerc and Verstappen to last the decade. Without a doubt, other drivers will join the two at the top, but the experience should be a helpful factor. 

For now, Verstappen will be chasing down Lewis Hamilton. It looks as though the British driver will stay involved with Formula 1 after 2021 which will at least give us a glimpse of world champion v the up and coming stars.