Throwback: Red Bull Smashes McLaren's 35-Year F1 Record in Hungary

Three years ago at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen powered Red Bull to a historic 12th consecutive victory, shattering McLaren's 35-year-old benchmark that stood since 1988. Starting second on the grid, the Dutchman seized the lead from Lewis Hamilton at Turn 1 and never looked back, crossing the line 33.7 seconds clear of Lando Norris.

Why it matters:

McLaren's iconic streak of 11 straight wins, set by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost during their dominant 1988 campaign, had long been considered one of Formula 1's untouchable records. Verstappen argued at the time that such a run is even harder now given the tighter competition between teams, amplifying the scale of Red Bull's achievement. The victory proved the team had built not just a fast car, but an operation capable of relentless execution across an entire season.

The details:

• Hamilton's pole position lasted only moments as Verstappen dived inside at Turn 1, while both McLarens also swept past the Mercedes to drop him to fourth.
• A straightforward two-stop strategy and crushing race pace allowed Verstappen to build an insurmountable lead in clean air, with Sergio Perez completing the podium in third.
• Then-team principal Christian Horner recalled watching McLaren-Honda's streak as a boy, calling the 12th consecutive win a testament to the team's "exceptional talent and dedication."
• The run ultimately stretched to 15 straight victories, spanning from the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix through the 2023 Italian Grand Prix, before Carlos Sainz finally ended it in Singapore.

The big picture:

The 2023 season remains one of the most lopsided in Formula 1 history. Red Bull won 21 of 22 races, and Verstappen claimed his third world title with minimal resistance. Even three years later, that afternoon in Hungary stands as a defining benchmark for modern dominance.