Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen are on the brink of achieving two of the most prestigious and long-standing records in the history of Formula 1, currently held by Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton. The Monegasque driver and the Dutch driver are widely regarded as two of the most talented and dominant competitors of their generation, serving as the undisputed leaders of Scuderia Ferrari and Red Bull Racing respectively. For the majority of their still young yet already remarkable careers, they have raced almost exclusively for their current teams, becoming the cornerstone figures around which those teams have been built. Now, both are within reach of two remarkable career milestones.
Putting aside the usual swirl of Formula 1 transfer market rumours, the loyalty shown by some drivers towards their teams remains remarkable. Staying with a team when victories are flowing is the easy part. Remaining committed during challenging periods, however, is far less common. Max Verstappen’s decision to continue with Red Bull Racing until at least the 2026 season, for instance, stems from a well-calculated strategy — one aimed at observing how the competitive order will shift with the introduction of the new technical regulations and, if necessary, making a move to whichever team emerges as the new benchmark.
Charles Leclerc’s case is different — his choice is guided more by passion and a deep personal connection to Ferrari than by cold strategy. He has repeatedly stated that winning a Formula 1 World Championship with Ferrari would be worth more to him than claiming multiple titles elsewhere. By the 2026 season, Charles Leclerc will have completed his eighth consecutive year driving for the Scuderia from Maranello — an impressive milestone that brings him ever closer to the legendary career longevity of Michael “The Kaiser” Schumacher.
Leclerc and Verstappen’s loyalty brings them close to iconic records
Looking at the statistics — and taking into account the fact that the modern Formula 1 calendar is significantly longer than it was in previous decades — the driver who has contested the most races for Ferrari is Michael Schumacher, with an extraordinary total of 180 Grand Prix starts between 1996 and 2006. Hot on his heels is Charles Leclerc, who has already taken part in 140 races for the Scuderia. If he stays with Ferrari through 2027, he could become the longest-serving Ferrari driver in history. In the meantime, during the current season, the Monegasque is set to surpass Kimi Räikkönen’s tally of 151 races in Ferrari red.
Max Verstappen’s numbers are equally impressive. Since joining Red Bull Racing in 2016, the Dutchman has already competed in an incredible 200 races for the Milton Keynes-based outfit. His ultimate target is the all-time record for the most races with a single team, currently held by Lewis Hamilton, who has started 246 Grands Prix for Mercedes. Should Verstappen remain with Red Bull through the 2027 season, he could overtake Hamilton and claim this milestone for himself.
Meanwhile, another record will be broken this season by Lando Norris. The British driver, currently locked in a fierce battle for the 2025 Drivers’ Championship, is on course to surpass David Coulthard’s record for the most races with McLaren. Coulthard’s tally stands at 150, while Norris reached 142 starts with the team at the Hungarian Grand Prix and is expected to break the record at the Qatar Grand Prix.
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