formula 1
An almost hopeless hunt: who can stop Verstappen?
Before the fourth round of the season, Max Verstappen leads the championship standings with 51 points, just ahead of Charles Leclerc and Sergio Peréz. photo
© Hiro Komae/AP
Max Verstappen is showing strong again in Japan. In training, the Formula 1 world champion is ahead in dry conditions. The pursuers have one problem in common.
There was a bit of desperation in Lewis Hamilton’s voice, but the Formula 1 record world champion doesn’t want to hear anything about resignation. “We’re going through a difficult phase, but I want to say goodbye here on a high. I’ll give it my all,” said the Brit in Suzuka about the currently hopeless fight against Dominator Max Verstappen from Red Bull.
The fact that the 39-year-old will remain without a title in his last year at Mercedes before the sensational move to Ferrari is already quite clear before the fourth of 24 races of the season on Sunday (7 a.m./Sky) in Japan. “It’s not over yet,” Hamilton said. It sounds like a rallying cry.
Confident Verstappen
Anyone who thought that Verstappen was ailing after his failure in Australia two weeks ago and could continue to show weakness is wrong. The Dutchman confidently completed his fast laps at the start in Japan and was ahead in the first training session. No wonder: he had won on the traditional course in the last two years and even secured the second of three world titles in 2022. The fact that there was hardly any serious driving in the second training session after light rain and that Verstappen decided not to go out quickly does not change the 26-year-old’s role as favorite.
“Red Bull is still ahead,” said Charles Leclerc. The Ferrari star also had high hopes of being able to compete for his first world title right from the start. “I think it will be tighter than last year, but our package has to be even faster,” said the Monegasque. The Silver Arrows also have the same goal as the Scuderia, because the gap to the leader is also too big on the track. “We’re looking for speed,” said Mercedes motorsport director Toto Wolff: “There’s a problem in the system, if you look at the stopwatch, we’re behind.”
For the time being, only Verstappen continues to drive – and is not noticeably distracted by his defect in Australia, wild transfer rumors or an internal team power struggle. “Yes, it’s definitely one of my favorite tracks. It’s pretty intimidating when you drive around the track here for the first time,” said Verstappen, but that’s exactly what suits the man who can win his fourth world title in a row. He leads the overall ranking with 51 points ahead of Leclerc (47) and colleague Sergio Peréz (46).
There has been a lot of speculation lately about what will happen next for him. According to team boss Christian Horner, Verstappen will “100 percent” continue to drive for Red Bull in 2025, and Verstappen also made a declaration of loyalty. What these words are worth remains to be seen. For weeks it has been suspected that the exceptional driver could change prematurely due to a special clause despite a contract that is valid until 2028. Mercedes wants to sign him as the successor to Hamilton, who is currently recovering from the worst start to the season of his long career. “I’m optimistic. But it needs more work,” Hamilton said.
Glimmer of hope in Hamilton
Verstappen should be able to say goodbye to Red Bull if his confidant Helmut Marko has to leave early. The Austrian is Horner’s opponent in an explosive affair. Horner was accused of inappropriate behavior by an employee. After an investigation initiated by parent company Red Bull, the complaint was dismissed. But anonymous emails with juicy details fueled the process, revealing power struggles that could escalate even further.
Hamilton, currently tenth in the World Championship, gave a little more hope after his last outing in Melbourne in Suzuka. “That was the best session we had this season,” said the Brit, who has already won the Japanese Grand Prix five times. Only Michael Schumacher (6), his predecessor in the German car manufacturer’s car, was even more successful. In the search for the next Silver Arrows driver – former champion Sebastian Vettel is also one of the candidates – there will be no quick decision. “It’s far too early to decide on a driver. The next few months will give us some insights,” said motorsport boss Wolff.