RB18 is officially Adrian Newey’s most successful car design ever

As Max Verstappen took the chequered flag at the Japanese Grand Prix, the RB18 became Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey’s most successful car ever.

Sunday’s victory at the Suzuka circuitbrought Red Bull’s win tally for this season up to 14, 12 for Verstappen and two for Sergio Perez.

That’s one more than the team achieved in 2013 when Sebastian Vettel won 13 times on his way to a fourth Drivers’ title.

The most wins previously for a Newey-designed car was 12 with the Williams FW18 in 1996, a feat matched in 2011 by Red Bull.

Told of his success by Sky Sports, the official F1 website quotes Newey as having replied: “I’m not very good [with] numbers, but that’s very rewarding to know.

“我们显然有一个很好的运行。

“I think Ferrari had a very quick car early on, [and] in many races, to be honest, they were probably a bit quicker. But I think we’ve kind of managed to round out the performance envelope of the car and try to get it working at all circuits.”

The 63-year-old was full of praise for Red Bull’s double World Champion,Verstappen.

Max Verstappen needs just one more win to match the#F1records of Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel for most race victories in a year.pic.twitter.com/oEKaeiSaGf

— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1)October 11, 2022

The Dutchman has claimed 12 grand prix victories and has been on the podium in all but two races in which he saw the chequered flag.

Wrapping up the title with four races to spare, there is still time for Verstappen to break the record for the most wins in a single season which sits at 13.

“Max has been absolutely superb this year,” Newey said. “Obviously in the traffic in Singapore he made a little mistake, but apart from that, he’s made absolutely no mistakes.

“[He’s been] very mature and always had the speed, so I think he thoroughly deserves all the success he’s having this year.”

Red Bull are racing towardsthe championship double, which would be their first since 2013, as the team is 165 points clear of Ferrari with 191 still in play.

It would be Newey’s fifth Constructors’ title with Red Bull, his 11th overall.

Read more: Max Verstappen on why 2022 title ‘feels very different’ to 2021 success