The team and driver combination successfully defended their constructors’ and drivers’ championships by shattering multiple records along the way.
Red Bull broke Mercedes’ record from 2016 when it won 19 of 21 races in its capacity as a constructor by winning 21 of the 22 grand prix. It also outperformed McLaren, which won 16 of 17 grand prix in 1988, with a 95.5 percent success rate.
Regarding Verstappen, his resume was impressive. Among his many accomplishments was setting a new record for the most wins in a season with 19, surpassing his previous high of 15.
In addition, Verstappen surpassed the previous record of 75 percent set by Alberto Ascari in 1952 by setting new records for the most consecutive victories (10) and the highest percentage of wins in a season (86.36 percent).
Horner believes Red Bull may have peaked at this point.
“We’ve had an incredible season,” Horner remarked. “The kind of season we just finished is beyond anything any of us could have ever envisioned.
“It is evident that every facet of the team has been performing at an extraordinary level when they win 21 out of 22 races, five of the six sprint races, defend both titles, and smash numerous records along the way, some of which have held since 1988.
With the RB19, the most successful car in Formula 1 history at the moment, there are plenty of things we can do better than we did this season.
“I believe the team’s collective progress is fueled by our unwavering commitment to continuous improvement and evolution.”
Horner claims that Verstappen is the team’s leader, understandably, as the Dutchman never fails to astound him.
“He just keeps hitting new heights,” Horner remarked. “I believe that the only damage he caused this year was when he exited the Silverstone garage and cut his front wing.”
“The heights he has reached, the consistency, and some of the races—even with challenges arising from the rear of the grid following problems in qualifying—are just amazing.
This year, he has had some incredible performances, and he just keeps getting better.
We are exactly like his engineering staff, and it’s fantastic to watch how he works with them. We work together as a team.
“It’s just that everyone has the same need and hunger, and Max is driving that from the front, naturally.”
