In a stunning display of skill and determination, Max Verstappen has once again etched his name into the annals of Formula 1 history. The Dutch driver, who has been on an unprecedented winning streak, secured his 10th consecutive victory at the Italian Grand Prix, surpassing the previous record held by Sebastian Vettel. Verstappen's triumph at Monza has left the racing world in awe, including the champion himself.
Verstappen's journey to this historic win was not a straightforward one. The race saw him battling it out with Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, who started the race from pole position. The Monza circuit, known for its high-speed straights and challenging corners, was the stage for this thrilling duel. Despite Ferrari's superior top speed, Verstappen's strategic driving and the performance of his Red Bull car saw him emerge victorious.
Reflecting on his victory, Verstappen expressed a mix of satisfaction and disbelief. "I never would have believed [10 wins in a row] was possible," he said. "But we had to work for it today and that was definitely a lot more fun. We had good pace, we were good on the tyres, but [Ferrari] had a lot of top speed."
The key to Verstappen's win was his ability to pressure Sainz into making a mistake. "It was so hard to get close and make the move into Turn 1. I had to force [Sainz] into a mistake and luckily it came at some point where he locked up, and I had better traction out of Turn 2, which was good, so we could do my own race," he explained.
Verstappen's patience and strategic approach to the race were evident in his comments post-race. "I just tried to stay patient. It was still a very long race. I could see they were struggling a lot with the rear tyres, so I just had to pick my moment," he said. Despite a minor issue towards the end of the race, Verstappen managed to maintain his lead, thanks to the gap he had created.
While Verstappen was making history, his teammate Sergio Perez was also making strides. Starting fifth on the grid, Perez managed to overtake both Ferrari drivers, Sainz and Charles Leclerc, to secure second place. This gave Red Bull their sixth one-two finish of the 2023 season, further cementing their dominance in the championship.
With this win, Verstappen has extended his lead in the drivers' standings to a staggering 145 points over Perez. Red Bull, on the other hand, has a comfortable lead of 310 points over their closest rivals, Mercedes, in the constructors' championship.
Verstappen's historic win at Monza is a testament to his exceptional driving skills and the superior performance of his Red Bull car. His record-breaking winning streak has not only cemented his status as one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history but also set a new benchmark for future generations of drivers.
