Nico Rosberg is currently leading the 2016 World Drivers’ Championship. Whether or not he wins the title this year, it seems inevitable that Rosberg will break at least one record this season.
With 6 races remaining (including tomorrow’s Malaysian Grand Prix), Rosberg already has 8 wins in 2016. That’s already one more than the highest number of wins without winning the title in a season. Currently the record stands at 7 (Alain Prost in 1984 and 1988, Kimi Raikkonen in 2005 and Michael Schumacher in 2006). If Rosberg loses out on this year’s championship, he will certainly break this slightly unfortunate record.
A happier record that beckons for Rosberg is the most wins in a season for a first-time champion. Currently the record stands at 9, achieved by Nigel Mansell when he won his only title in 1992. Rosberg has 8 wins with 6 races remaining in the season and he is in fine form, having won the last three races in succession. It therefore seems probable that he will at least equal Mansell’s 9 wins, and likely that he will exceed that number.
One other record is possible, but unlikely. Currently the record for most wins in a season stands at 13 (Michael Schumacher in 2004 and Sebastian Vettel in 2013). If Rosberg wins all 6 remaining races this year, he will have clocked up 14 wins in 2016. It seems improbable that Rosberg will break this particular record, as it would require him to win 9 races in a row. It would not, however, be the first 9-race winning streak in F1 history – Sebastian Vettel won the last 9 races of 2013.
Rosberg qualified second for Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix, putting himself in a strong position to fight for victory and draw closer to the title and a record-breaking total of wins in 2016.
Chris on F1 
Leave a Reply