Season snapshot · 2018
Source: Jolpica F1 API- WDC finish
- P4
- Wins
- 2
- Podiums
- 11
- Points
- 249
- DNFs
- 3
- Constructor
- Red Bull Racing
Race-by-race
| Race | Grid | Finish | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian | P4 | P6 | 8 |
| Bahrain | P15 | Transmission | 0 |
| Chinese | P5 | P5 | 10 |
| Azerbaijan | P5 | Collision | 0 |
| Spanish | P5 | P3 | 15 |
| Monaco | P20 | P9 | 2 |
| Canadian | P3 | P3 | 15 |
| French | P4 | P2 | 18 |
| Austrian | P4 | P1 | 25 |
| British | P5 | P15 | 0 |
| German | P4 | P4 | 12 |
| Hungarian | P7 | Power loss | 0 |
| Belgian | P7 | P3 | 15 |
| Italian | P5 | P5 | 10 |
| Singapore | P2 | P2 | 18 |
| Russian | P19 | P5 | 10 |
| Japanese | P3 | P3 | 15 |
| United States | P18 | P2 | 18 |
| Mexican | P2 | P1 | 25 |
| Brazilian | P5 | P2 | 18 |
| Abu Dhabi | P6 | P3 | 15 |
Max Verstappen's 2018 Formula 1 season was a narrative of early-season incidents giving way to a strong, consistent second half, culminating in his highest championship finish to date, P4 in the Drivers' Championship.
Going in
Heading into 2018, Max Verstappen was in his third full season with Red Bull Racing, a team consistently vying for podiums but often outmatched by the dominant Mercedes and Ferrari outfits in the V6 turbo-hybrid era. The expectation for Verstappen was to build on his raw speed and occasional brilliance, aiming for greater consistency and fewer incidents. The Red Bull RB14, powered by Renault, showed flashes of pace, particularly on circuits less reliant on outright engine power, setting the stage for a challenging but potentially rewarding year for the young Dutchman.
How it played out
The initial phase of Verstappen's 2018 campaign was marked by a series of high-profile incidents and missed opportunities. The season began with a P6 finish in Australia, followed by a DNF in Bahrain due to a transmission issue after starting P15. In China, contact with Sebastian Vettel dropped him to P5. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix saw a collision with teammate Daniel Ricciardo, resulting in a double DNF, a significant setback for Red Bull. A qualifying crash in Monaco meant starting P20, though he recovered to P9. This early period, encompassing the first six races, yielded only 33 points and one podium, a P3 in Spain.
The turning point arrived mid-season. From the Spanish Grand Prix onwards, Verstappen found a rhythm, demonstrating improved judgment and consistent pace. He secured consecutive P3 finishes in Spain and Canada, followed by a P2 in France. The highlight of this resurgence was his victory at the Austrian Grand Prix, Red Bull's home race, where he capitalized on Mercedes' misfortune and managed his tires expertly. This marked his first win of the season and a significant shift in momentum. Even a DNF in Hungary due to power loss did not derail his progress, as he immediately returned with a P3 in Belgium.
Defining moments
The collision with Daniel Ricciardo at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix stands as a critical early-season moment, prompting discussions about driver discipline within the team. Conversely, his victory at the was a definitive peak, showcasing his ability to seize opportunities and manage a race from the front. The latter half of the season saw Verstappen consistently challenging for podiums, securing a P2 in Singapore and another P3 in Japan. His second win came at the Mexican Grand Prix, a dominant performance from P2 on the grid. This consistent form, particularly after the early struggles, underscored his development. For context, other drivers like also faced challenges with car reliability and team dynamics during this era, highlighting the common hurdles drivers navigated.