World Champion Max Verstappen believes his crushing performance in the 2022 Belgian Grand Prix was "rare" in modern Formula 1. Verstappen's tally of 15 wins and 454 points in the standings were both new records in 2022 as he claimed a second world title, with the Belgian GP at Spa in August the fourth in a run of five straight victories. Although he qualified on pole by a healthy margin, the Red Bull driver started in 14th thanks to engine grid penalties. However, by Lap 12, he was in first place. He assumed the lead once again six tours later after making his required pit-stop and went onto win by almost 18 seconds from teammate Sergio Perez. He was also over a minute clear of main title rival Charles Leclerc, who could only manage sixth having started one place behind Verstappen on the grid.
Verstappen on Spa performance
Reflecting back, Verstappen feels that having such supremacy over the field in Grand Prix racing is rare. "I've never had such an amazing car or domination in F1," he explained to Viaplay. "Because as soon as we put the car on the track, it was working well and we barely changed anything on the car [throughout practice]. "We knew that we had to take a penalty, but I had a feeling that even starting 14th, I knew that if I get around [the first lap] without any damage, we were going to win the race and that is very rare that you really believe that. "I like the track but, in the last few years, it has never really been that enjoyable because we were slow on the straights, so we have to then trim downforce and then in the second sector, you are always a bit loose because of being too low on the downforce. "We could actually get little bit more [top speed] than normal [on the car in 2022], and then the car just came alive in the second sector, and it was just amazing to drive. "It was amazing to drive in the race as well, and it was just about keeping your tyres alive, and if I really wanted to, I could have done another pit-stop to win the race."
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