Could Max become the most successful F1 driver ever if he quits after 2028?

Max Verstappen is only 25 years old and already one of the most successful Formula 1 drivers in history. The Dutchman already has two world titles under his belt and already 45 victories to his name. Should he quit after 2028, when his contract ends, what will he have to do to go down in history as the most successful F1 driver?

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is not yet retired, but already the most successful Formula 1 driver of all time. To determine this, people often look at the number of world titles, victories and pole positions. The Briton shares the record number of seven world titles with German Michael Schumacher, but the Mercedes man has more Grand Prix wins and pole positions behind his name. Whereas the former Ferrari star won 91 times, Hamilton has 103 wins on his record. Michael Schumacher achieved pole position 68 times, while the man from Stevenage was fastest in qualifying 104 times.

Max Verstappen is pushing hard. At only 25 years of age, he already has 45 victories under his belt and conquered pole position 27 times. The Dutchman has never made a secret of not wanting to drive in Formula 1 until he is 40. He does not rule out hanging up his F1 wheel after his Red Bull contract expires at the end of 2028.

What does Verstappen have to do to break records?

That would give Verstappen fans around 106 more Grands Prix to enjoy his racing skills. Should he stop then, will he have enough time to shatter Hamilton's records?

To win more world titles than Hamilton, Verstappen must win all championships from now until 2028. To match him, he may finish second for one season.

To surpass the number of Grand Prix wins, the Dutchman will have to work hard. He then needs to win 59 more races, if Hamilton will no longer find the top step of the podium. Should he really drive only 106 more Grands Prix, that means he will have to win 55.7 per cent of the upcoming races.

If he continues at his current pace, that should not be a very big problem. After all, he won 83.3 per cent of his races this season. However, it may not be realistic for Red Bull to remain so superior to the competition.

Surpassing Lewis Hamilton's record number of pole positions seems almost impossible, at least, if he does not continue driving in Formula 1 after 2028. He needs to be fastest 78 more times during qualifying to surpass the Briton, if Hamilton himself never finishes in pole position again at least. That means he would need to win about 73.6 per cent of all upcoming qualifyings through 2028.

The greatest

But one thing is beyond doubt. Verstappen does not need to smash all records to enter the history books as (one of) the greatest(s). Lewis Hamilton is still mentioned in the same breath as Ayrton Senna, who saw his life end far too soon after three world titles, 41 victories and 65 pole positions. Max is already currently being compared to the Brazilian racing legend and is often mentioned in the same sentence with Schumacher and Hamilton.