Over the past 5 years, Max Verstappen has broken a number of records in Formula 1. But there are still a few records he is yet to break. One of them is being held by the 7-time world champion, Michael Schumacher.
All F1 drivers are given the option to choose a number for the car they drive for the season. But the #1 is reserved for the reigning Champion. So if a driver wins a title, they will have the option to choose #1 for the following season. Max Verstappen was one of those drivers from 2022 to 2025.
During these 3 years, Max won 51 Grand Prix races. All while driving the number 1 car. Despite this incredible feat, 7-time world champion, Michael Schumacher still holds the record for most races won with 52 wins as #1.
Although Max is just 1 race win behind Schumacher, he will not be able to break the record this year as he is driving the #3 car while Norris pilots the #1 car. From how this season is turning out, it doesn't seem like Max will have the chance to break this record next year as well. But we can never count out Verstappen as long as he's driving a F1 car. So let's see if he gets the opportunity again to drive the #1 car.
Why is Lewis Hamilton so low on the list?
Although Lewis Hamilton has won 7 championships, same as Schumacher, he is quite low in the list of most wins with a #1 car. This is because Hamilton drove the #1 car only for one season, back in 2009 after winning the Championship in 2008.
Michael Schumacher vs Lewis Hamilton
7× World Champion
7× World Champion
After winning his 6 titles with Mercedes, Lewis chose to retain the #44 for the following season. This is why all his wins as the reigning champion is not counted in this record.
But if we just look at most race wins as a reigning champion, Hamilton has won a total of 63 race wins as reigning champion. If he had used the #1 car, there is no doubt that he would be holding this record as well.
