Max Verstappen plays down Baku win after equaling records of F1 legends Jim Clark and Niki Lauda

Max Verstappen plays down Baku win after equaling records of F1 legends Jim Clark and Niki Lauda

Max Verstappen

The triumph achieved by reigning Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the challenging Baku City Circuit was crucial for the Dutchman in terms of the world championship.

The drivers’ standings now sees him with a greater lead of 21 points clear of his teammate Mexican driver Sergio Perez at the conclusion of the eighth race of the 2022 world championship.

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Furthermore, the Red Bull driver’s accomplishment in Baku not only bolstered his supremacy, but also positioned him in the aristocracy of the great F1 book given the popularity in the Azerbaijani capital. The Red Bull Racing driver matched two F1 legends like Jim Clark and Niki Lauda, all three still with 25 triumphs and in 9th place in the all-time roll of honour.

Also Read: Max Verstappen leaps over Sebastian Vettel to set new Red Bull record

Max Verstappen remains humble

Jim Clark(on the left) and Niki Lauda(on the right)
Jim Clark(on the left) and Niki Lauda(on the right)

During the post-race news conference after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, reporters in the news room mentioned this data point to the ruling F1 world champion, who responded with a brief but humble response: ” Compared to them, we play many more races in a single season. Therefore, it is not something comparable, even if it is still beautiful for books. Moreover, if you have a good car it is ‘normal’ to get victories.”

Furthermore, Verstappen outshone Sebastian Vettel in the leaderboard of the most podium finishes won by a Red Bull driver in Azerbaijan. In reality, the Dutchman had matched the four-time German world champion’s 65 Top-3 finishes in Munich, only to supersede them in Baku and gain entry into the Austria-based racing team’s lineage.

The 20 drivers from the 10 teams on the grid will reassemble from 17 June-19 June this weekend as they gear up to attend Williams’ Nicholas Latifi’s and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll’s home Grand Prix, the Canadian Grand Prix in the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Also Read: “He has Checo to thank for the win” Mika Hakkinen denies Max Verstappen credit for his victory in Baku

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