The Spanish Grand Prix will always hold special memories for Max Verstappen.
Ahead of the 2016 edition of the race, the Dutchman was promoted to Red Bull at the tender age of 18, replacing Daniil Kvyat in a decision that was widely regarded as harsh at the time.
Verstappen nonetheless defied all odds that weekend, taking advantage of a collision between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to win his first Formula 1 race in a drive that defied his age.
Following that victory, Martin Brundle made an incredible prediction about the 27-year-old’s future that came to fruition in 2022 and 2023 especially.
Martin Brundle predicted Max Verstappen would one day be ‘accused of ruining F1’ after 2016 Spanish Grand Prix win
Writing in his Sky Sports column following the race, Brundle eulogised about the young Verstappen’s performance.
The former F1 driver wrote that the Dutchman displayed ‘such a calm maturity, it simply doesn’t seem possible at 18.’
Brundle continued: ‘It was such a pleasure to watch the post-race celebrations with genuine respect for the new young King from all quarters.’
It was here that the 60-year-old made his prediction, stating: ‘I said to proud dad Jos Verstappen after the race, make the most of it because in a few years’ time his son may be accused of ruining F1 because he’s always winning like Michael Schumacher.’
Four World Drivers’ Championships later, including the incredibly dominant seasons of 2022 and 2023, it is hard to argue against Brundle’s prediction.
Max Verstappen’s dominance of Formula 1 by numbers
Verstappen’s first world title in 2021 was one of the best F1 seasons of all time, the Dutchman edging out seven-time champion Hamilton on the last lap of the final Grand Prix.
Following the change of regulations at the start of 2022, however, Verstappen moved into a league of his own.
The 2022 season saw the 27-year-old win 15 of the 22 races, claiming the Drivers’ Championship with a whopping 454 points, 146 ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
2023 was even more dominant, the Dutchman winning 19 of the 22 Grands Prix held, a record for most wins in a season.
| Max Verstappen’s 2022 and 2023 Formula 1 season stats | ||||
| Season | Wins | Podiums | Points | Winning margin |
| 2022 | 15 | 17 | 454 | 146 points |
| 2023 | 19 | 21 | 575 | 290 points |
He also finished on the podium at 21 of the 22 events, another record, claiming the Championship with 575 points, more than double that of his teammate Sergio Perez in second.
It was here Brundle’s prediction came true, with The Mirror reporting during the 2024 Chinese Grand Prix weekend that even Norris worried Verstappen’s “dominance” was “boring” fans.
Luckily, after 2024 started in a similar fashion with Verstappen winning seven of the opening ten Grands Prix on the way to his fourth consecutive Drivers’ Title, he would only win two of the last fourteen races as the field closed up.
That has continued into this season, Verstappen currently behind the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the Championship standings after two wins from the opening eight rounds.
Still, for 2022 and 2023 at least, Verstappen experienced what dominant champions before him had to contend with: criticism because they were simply too good.