Throwback: Verstappen’s Miami Masterclass and Pérez’s Rise and Fall

Max Verstappen’s charge from ninth on the grid to victory in Miami marked the turning point of the 2023 season. The win launched a record‑breaking run of ten straight victories, while teammate Sergio Pérez never again stood on the top step, his early‑season promise fading into a handful of podiums. The contrast between the two Red Bull drivers defined the championship narrative.

Why it matters:

• Verstappen’s dominance cemented Red Bull’s lead in the constructors’ fight, giving the team an almost unassailable points cushion.
• Pérez’s decline underscored how hard it is to challenge a teammate when the car is clearly tuned to another driver’s style.
• The Miami race showed that a poor qualifying can be erased with race‑craft, reinforcing Verstappen’s reputation as the sport’s most complete driver.

By the numbers:

• 10 consecutive wins – a F1 record not seen since the sport’s inception.
• Post‑Miami Pérez: 5 podiums, 0 wins, 0 poles in the remaining 17 races.
• Verstappen 2023: 15 wins, 5 poles, 13 fastest laps.
• Only interruption: Carlos Sainz’s Singapore victory stopped a clean sweep.

What’s next:

In 2024 Verstappen will look to extend his dominance while Red Bull tries to close the performance gap for Pérez. The Mexican’s off‑season work will be vital if he hopes to regain regular podiums, and any challenger that can disrupt Red Bull’s rhythm could reshape the title fight.