Max Verstappen can match more than just Lewis Hamilton’s victory record in Austin on Sunday. At the United States Grand Prix, a second F1 record held by the Briton is also within reach - and the Dutchman does not even have to win to do it. A podium finish would equal Hamilton’s run of eight consecutive podiums at the Circuit of the Americas.
With a fifth Formula 1 victory at the circuit, abbreviated to COTA, Verstappen would draw level with Hamilton, who has also won five times at the Texas circuit. But even without a victory, the Red Bull Racing driver can match a remarkable streak set by the seven-time world champion.
Verstappen has finished on the podium in Austin seven times in a row
Verstappen finished second in 2018 and third in 2019. He then won three times in a row, from 2021 through 2023, finished third in 2024, and won again last year. In his last seven appearances at the United States Grand Prix, the Dutchman has finished on the podium every time. Another podium finish would see him equal Hamilton’s streak at the Texas circuit.
The streak began a year after a remarkable moment in Verstappen’s career. In 2017, he lost his podium place after the race. He was given a five-second time penalty for going off track while overtaking Kimi Raikkonen and, according to the stewards, gaining an advantage as a result. That dropped him to fourth place. It could have marked the start of the streak - and, by now, eight consecutive podiums in Texas- but that had to wait another year. Since 2018, he has finished in the top three at every Grand Prix he has contested in Austin.
Hamilton finished on the COTA podium eight times in a row
Photo: Race Pictures
Hamilton put together his streak between 2014 and 2022. During that period, he won four times in a row, from 2014 through 2017. The Briton finished third in 2018, then second in 2019. He also had to settle for second place in 2021 and 2022, both times behind Verstappen. The 2022 edition was also the last time Hamilton stood on the podium in Austin.
Verstappen is among a select group of drivers to have finished on the podium at least seven times in a row at the same Grand Prix. Alongside him and Hamilton, the list includes Graham Hill, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel. A podium finish in Austin would extend Verstappen’s own streak to eight, matching Hamilton’s record.
Verstappen heads to Austin in strong form
Verstappen arrives in Texas in excellent form. The Red Bull driver has finished on the podium at seven of the last eight Grands Prix and has won the last two races. He claimed consecutive victories at the Bahrain Grand Prix, held in Malaysia, and the Singapore Grand Prix.
There is also plenty at stake in the world championship. Kimi Antonelli could clinch the title in Austin, while Verstappen sits fourth on 221 points, behind Antonelli, George Russell and Hamilton. If the race goes his way, the Dutchman could even rise from fourth to second in the championship.