Formula 1: Max Verstappen quietly tied an all-time record

We stress “quietly” because it was probably the only quiet part of the penultimate race weekend of the 2021 Formula 1 season for Max Verstappen.

The inaugural Formula 1 race weekend at Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the first-ever Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was characterized by chaos, and much of that chaos played a negative role in the race for Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

The world championship leader had a great chance to take a pole for the 50-lap race around the 27-turn, 3.837-mile (6.175-kilometer) temporary street circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, but an error in the 27th and final turn on his final qualifying lap resulted in him finding the barrier.

He was still quick enough on his previous flying lap to start in third place, and a timely red flag resulted in him taking the lead. Unlike the Mercedes teammates, he had not already changed his tires.

But from that point forward, things spiraled out of control.

In fact, there were exactly five (arguably six, if you factor in the confusing aspect of one of them) instances during which he was, in some way, penalized by the FIA.

Lewis Hamilton was going to win the race regardless, given the tire strategies that the two were on following the two early red flags, so the fact that Verstappen still managed to secure a second place finish was effectively damage control.

The pair are now tied in points at 369.5 heading into the 22nd and final race of the season, with Verstappen owning the tiebreaker due to having a 9-8 lead in wins.

And while he wasn’t interested in celebrating on the podium after the race, Verstappen tied an all-time record with his 17th podium finish of the season.

Take a look at the six previous instances of drivers recording 17 podium finishes in a single season.

• Michael Schumacher: 17 for 17, 2002
• Sebastian Vettel: 17 for 19, 2011
• Lewis Hamilton: 17 for 19, 2015
• Lewis Hamilton: 17 for 21, 2016
• Lewis Hamilton: 17 for 21, 2018
• Lewis Hamilton: 17 for 21, 2019

In the season finale, Verstappen has a chance to break this record. Meanwhile, Hamilton has a chance to secure podium finish number 17 for what would be the fifth time in the last seven years.

The season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is set to be broadcast live on ESPN2 from Yas Marina Circuit beginning at 7:55 a.m. ET this Sunday, December 12. Start your free trial of FuboTV now and don’t miss any of the action!