Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set overtaking record in 2016

Max Verstappen completed the most overtakes in a Formula 1 season according to data collected by tyre supplier Pirelli.

The Dutch youngster completed 18 overtakes in the opening four races of the season whilst driving for Toro Rosso, and another 60 driving for Red Bull across the remaining 17 grands prix.

A total of 78 overtakes is a new record according to data which goes back to the 1982 season.

Meanwhile Lewis Hamilton recorded the most overtakes during a single race in 2016. The Briton started from last and finished seventh, completing 18 passes in the process.

RelatedPosts

How the Austrian GP cemented F1 2025 as a two-horse race

13 hours ago

Toto Wolff: Kimi Antonelli’s ‘unfortunate’ Austria F1 error ‘can happen to the greats’

14 hours ago

That contributed to a total of 128 overtakes at the Chinese GP – also an all-time record for a dry F1 race – whilst Hungary recorded the fewest overtakes of the season at just ten.

Sebastian Vettel was the least overtaken driver, having been passed just once – by Verstappen in Brazil, a race which recorded 64 overtakes in total.

Whilst Mercedes were the least overtaken team at seven, Red Bull did the most overtaking with a total of 136 successful moves (61 by Daniel Ricciardo, 60 by Max Verstappen, 15 by Daniil Kvyat).

In total there were 866 overtakes during the entire 21-race season.

Editors' Note: How overtaking moves are calculated: an overtaking manoeuvre is counted as one that takes place during complete flying laps (so not on the opening lap) and is then maintained all the way to the lap’s finish line. Position changes due to major mechanical problems or lapping/unlapping are not counted.