Wrapping Up the F1 French GP: Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton Reach Milestones

Verstappen is Red Bull’s veteran, Hamilton hits 300, and there’s a smattering of outings for some rookies. Autoweek recaps some other stories from the French Grand Prix.

Verstappen Becomes Red Bull’s Veteran

It seems scarcely believable for those who recall his ascent aged 18 as being yesterday but Max Verstappen is now Red Bull’s most experienced driver.

In starting his 130th race in Red Bull colors, Verstappen surpassed the previous record held by Mark Webber, who competed for the team between 2007 and 2013. And in all likelihood Verstappen will lift that record significantly higher, with the reigning champion contracted to Red Bull through the 2028 season.

The current record for a single driver/team partnership is the Lewis Hamilton-Mercedes collaboration, which is now at 190 and counting ...

Hamilton Hits 300

…and, when added to his 110 starts for McLaren, means Hamilton joined the exclusive 300 club in France. He is only the sixth driver in history to reach the milestone, joining Jenson Button (306), Michael Schumacher (307), Rubens Barrichello (323), Fernando Alonso (345 and counting) and Kimi Räikkönen (350). It left Hamilton in a reflective mood post-race.

“It was mentioned at the beginning of the weekend and I didn't really think much of it,” said Hamilton on the figure. “And (on race day) morning, I woke up just feeling incredibly grateful, just thinking about all the people that have been with me along the way, you know. For Ron (Dennis) and Mercedes giving me the chance when I was young. Martin Whitmarsh. Mansour Ojjeh. Toto (Wolff), Niki (Lauda), Dieter (Zetsche). Just all these incredible people that have supported me since I was 13.

"To then have this just incredible journey with them, every race powered by Mercedes. And so very, very proud to be up here representing them, alongside George and yeah, we’ve just got to keep pushing.”

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff playfully floated the idea of Hamilton reaching 400 Grands Prix and the seven-time world champion hinted that he isn’t close to walking away just yet.

“I still feel fresh and still feel like I've got plenty of fuel left in the tank,” Hamilton said. “I’m really, really proud and enjoying arriving every day and working with this incredible group of people. I’m also enjoying working with the sport more than ever. We've got some great people leading the sport and having great conversations about the direction we're going as a sport, so I'm enjoying it more than ever.

"I would say in that space, of course, I want to get back to winning ways and that's going to take time, but I'm sure we'll sit down at some stage and talk about the future. But again, just with our team, I always want to continue to be building. It’s one thing having races, but it's also continuing the work that we do outside and doing more, which I think Mercedes and us can always do more, and we will.”

De Vries Gets a Mercedes Run

Reigning Formula E champion Nyck de Vries has been a long-time Mercedes co-reserve driver and has previously tested the squad’s Formula 1 machinery.

In France he had his first outing at a grand prix with the team, replacing Lewis Hamilton for FP1, per the new-for-2022 regulations on handing rookies practice time. De Vries stayed out of trouble as he completed the run plan and handed over the car in one piece for Hamilton. The Dutchman is expected to fill the quote for George Russell later on in the season.

“I'm very grateful for the opportunity, it was a great experience,” said de Vries. “The team was very supportive, and we got the information that we needed. Lewis was amazing and also very supportive.”

De Vries, who won the 2019 Formula 2 title, is not in contention for a 2023 seat anywhere.

Mazepin’s Winning Return

Ex-Haas F1 racer Nikita Mazepin returned to motorsport competition in the Silk Way Rally in his native Russia. Mazepin entered into the T3 category across the 10-day endurance event and emerged victorious.