Max Verstappen’s domination of this year’s Formula 1 World Championship was a predictable talking point at last week’s FIA Gala in Baku.
It’s a good job Brandon Semenuk wasn’t in Azerbaijan – he’d only have overshadowed the Dutch Red Bull driver.
With eight wins from eight starts this year, the Canadian star delivered Subaru Motorsports USA the perfect season. In fact, Semenuk hasn’t been beaten since the Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally in September, 2022. Of the last 130 stages contested on American soil, he has led for 128 of them.
Now that’s how to dominate a campaign, Max.
Semenuk smile’s a wry, slightly bashful smile. You half expect him to pinch himself.
“When I started out in this sport,” he told DirtFish, “it was purely for the passion and the fun in the car. I never pictured myself with any of this [success]. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be with Subaru [Motorsports] USA, driving machinery like this. It’s a pleasure and I’m so grateful every time I get in the car.”
Semenuk wasted no time in directing gratitude and thanks in the way of Subaru and Vermont SportsCar, the team responsible for building and running the WRX he shares with co-driver Keaton Williams.
“It was a great year,” he added. “Hats off to Subaru Motorsports USA and a huge thanks all technicians and all the people involved. The car has been so reliable and that’s what really made this year successful. I put in a small part of that.”
Semenuk was also quick to praise Englishman Williams’ input from the right-hand seat.
“I really don’t have the words for Keaton,” he said. “He’s just been so good. The relationship in and out of the car has been really fun. He sat in the car two years ago and now we’ve won two championships… that’s all there is to say!”
