Red Bull Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen reached another milestone during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix today. After securing the win at the iconic Imola circuit, the four-time champion secured the same number of podium finishes as seven-time champion and F1 icon Michael Schumacher had at Ferrari.
Schumacher secured 116 podium finishes during his dominant time at Ferrari between 1996 and 2006 (155 podium finishes across his whole F1 career). Verstappen, who has been with Red Bull Racing since 2016, secured his 116th podium on Sunday.
While speaking to the media following the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Verstappen explained:
“The start itself wasn’t particularly great but I was still on the outside line, the normal line, so I was like ‘well I’m going to try and send it around the outside’ and it worked really well.
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“Of course, that unleashed our pace because when we were in the lead, the car was good. I could look after my tires. Massive improvement from Friday and I’m very pleased with that.
“The VSC was quite handy to pit. Even then, on the hard compound our pace was strong but then there was a Safety Car, so the field was back together.
“But on the restart we managed it all pretty well and brought it home. Incredibly proud of everyone. It’s been a very important week for us. The car has performed really well. Also, I think the execution of the whole race – when to pit and the pit stops themselves were all very good.”
Verstappen is currently fighting for his fifth consecutive championship title. If he secures this in 2025, he will meet Schumacher’s record of consecutive championship title victories.
The Dutchman is currently third in the drivers’ standings behind McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. However, taking the victory in Imola, he is keeping them within reach.
Red Bull team chief Christian Horner spoke about Verstappen’s title hopes following the race, stating:
“I’ve always said this championship is a marathon.
“We are on race seven and we have won two of them. It’s all about where you are at the end of it. You’ve got to stay in touch through this phase.
“We are finding form. It’s a completely different challenge next weekend and then a regulation change the weekend after.
“Our full focus is on the drivers’ championship. We have a very clear No 1. in our team and that’s where the clear focus is.”