Verstappen reveals ulterior motive behind Perez decision
Verstappen reveals ulterior motive behind Perez decision
Max Verstappen has revealed a surprising twist behind his decision to let Sergio Perez take the lead during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Rather than a strategic team play, Verstappen's motive was to optimise his chances of surpassing the 1000 laps led mark for the 2023 season.
The Dutch world champion dominated the year with an exceptional 19 victories out of 22 races, showcasing unparalleled consistency even after Perez's second and last win in Azerbaijan.
Following his team-mate's triumph in Baku, Verstappen rebounded with an impressive 17 victories in the remaining races, with a sole setback after a Q2 exit in Singapore, a race claimed by Ferrari's Carlos Sainz.
Max the milestone man
Now, Verstappen has unveiled the unconventional strategy employed in Abu Dhabi, shedding light on his quest for statistical milestones in addition to his on-track dominance.
“Well, it was simple. I wanted to stay out longer so as not to jeopardise my 1000 laps in the lead," he told Blick.
Verstappen's strategic prowess paid off handsomely as he triumphantly crossed the chequered flag at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, capping off his championship-winning season in grand style.
Leading the pack for an astounding 1,003 laps in 2023, he outshone the rest of the field, exceeding their combined total laps led from the previous year by more than threefold.
In a staggering display of team dominance, Verstappen's team-mate Perez secured the second-highest count with 146 laps led, while no other driver managed to breach the century mark.
Sainz, Leclerc, Norris, and Hamilton emerged as the exclusive group to surpass ten laps at the front.
READ MORE: Verstappen sets SHOCKING success benchmark for 2024
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Mercedes reveal shock RED livery to celebrate historic milestone
- 48 minutes ago
Ricciardo makes five-race admission in bid to survive F1 axe
- 1 hour ago
Red Bull is 'burning' after Horner and Marko display
- 2 hours ago
Red Bull announce strong statement over Newey departure claims
- 3 hours ago
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
- Today 18:57
F1 champion reveals £100 MILLION contract to keep racing
- Today 17:57
Related news
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
Verstappen takes F1 swipe at Hamilton and rivals with ruthless remark
Incredible statistic puts Verstappen AHEAD of Hamilton record
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860