formula 1
Max Verstappen’s triumph in Suzuka
For Max Verstappen it is the 13th win of the season. photo
© Toru Hanai/AP
Max Verstappen cannot be caught. The Red Bull driver wins confidently in Japan, the team has already won the constructors’ championship. The Formula 1 stage is also set for Verstappen’s third title.
After his Formula 1 drive through Suzuka Max Verstappen smacks his lips on the podium of the interactive winner’s trophy as his renewed world champion team cheers.
The Dutch Red Bull driver raced to his 13th victory of the season at the Grand Prix of Japan on Sunday, almost like a dream, and is now facing his personal coronation ceremony in Qatar. In two weeks, Verstappen can become world champion for the third time in a row after the sprint race in the desert.
“We are having an incredible year and I am proud of each and every one of them,” said Verstappen. “You built a rocket of a car.” And team boss Christian Horner bowed to his successful driver: “Max, that was absolutely fantastic. You were dominant the whole weekend.” Verstappen is on another level. Despite the retirement of team-mate Sergio Pérez, Red Bull secured its second consecutive constructors’ title in Suzuka in just the 16th race of the season.
After a domino crash on the first lap and five retirements at the Suzuka spectacle, World Cup dominator Verstappen relegated Lando Norris to second place in the McLaren. His teammate Oscar Piastri secured his first career podium in third place in his debut season. Nico Hülkenberg in the Haas was once again unable to fight for points in 14th place.
World Cup title in Qatar?
With his 48th career win and the fastest lap, Verstappen increased his lead over Perez to 177 points. He has scored 400 points so far this year and would therefore be ahead of the competition in the team rankings.
If Verstappen has a total of 146 points more than his first rival after the Qatar weekend, he will be world champion again. “He has gotten even better at speed and he does it with an ease and confidence that is unbelievable,” said Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko on the TV channel Sky.
Just a few seconds after the red lights went out there was a crash. Pole man Verstappen, who had determined all the units in Japan, was just able to free himself from a McLaren pair of Piastri and Norris and race into the first corner as the leader. But the first pieces of debris flew behind it. Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas as well as Alex Albon (Williams) and Esteban Ocon (Alpine) collided. Their cars were damaged and the safety car had to be deployed on lap one.
Mercedes man Lewis Hamilton also got something, he reported a push from Pérez, who had a short Grand Prix to forget. The Mexican had to go to the pits immediately to have a new front installed on his car. Pérez also received a five-second penalty for illegally overtaking cars during the safety car phase. At the end of the fourth lap, Verstappen & Co. were allowed to go full throttle again.
The World Cup dominator traveled to Japan highly motivated after his mixed weekend in Singapore. Verstappen showed all his determination in qualifying and secured his ninth pole of the season with a mega lap. Even the failure of the steering wheel screen didn’t stop the Dutchman from his 29th career pole. Behind them, Piastri and Norris were clearly behind.
Hülkenberg in the Haas took advantage of the initial confusion and raced from 18th to 13th. Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso worked his way up from tenth to sixth place. Things continued to be miserable for Pérez. During a hasty overtaking maneuver against Hülkenberg’s teammate Kevin Magnussen on the twelfth lap, he damaged the front of his Red Bull again and had to come back in for a stop. “The car doesn’t feel good,” Perez complained afterwards.
What will happen to Perez?
The Red Bull management assures that the man from Guadalajara has a contract for 2024. However, it is still questionable whether Pérez will actually remain Verstappen’s teammate beyond this season, given his mixed performances. On lap 15 he had to park his car, but came out again to serve a penalty. “It was a very black day for him,” said Marko.
Meanwhile, Verstappen extended his lead over Norris to ten seconds. Just two laps after his first tire change on lap 17, the Red Bull driver took the lead again. Optimal race management with Verstappen. Behind them, Norris and Piastri fought for second position within the team. After a warning from Norris over the pit radio, Piastri had to let the faster McLaren man pass on the 27th of 53 laps.
A year after winning his second world title early in Japan, Verstappen brought his success home once again. He then climbed onto his Red Bull and enjoyed the cheers of the fans with outstretched arms before posing with his crew in front of a banner with a large number six: Red Bull has won the team world championship that many times. With a kiss, Verstappen’s own winner’s trophy from Japan also shone in the Dutch national colors.