Max Verstappen probably created one of the best weekends of his career F1 to win the Japanese Grand Prix-tak, sending four-time world champion McLren warning that this year’s title race could be at least three-way fighting?
McLaren came for the weekend as strong favorites due to the nature of the SUZUKA layout that would suit their car on paper.
They also won the opening two races of the season in Australia and China, with the dominant one on the latter, showing an excellent racial pace at both Grand Prix.
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Max Verstappen Jokes Lando Norris was after their clash Pitlane “dear lawn” that saw Norris into the grass during the Japanese Grand Prix.
But Verstappen gripped the position of the pole with a record of the Suzuka bike before postponing McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to reduce Norris’s lead to one point after three rounds.
Red Bull team director Christian Horner called Verstappen “Inch Perfect” when he secured his first victory of the year after finishing second and fourth in Australia and China.
The result gives McLaren something to think about, despite the clothing based on woking, which has the fastest car on the grid on the third consecutive racing weekend.
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Ted Kravitz from Sky F1 thought about all the big points talking from the Japanese Grand Prix
HORNER: Verstappen is currently the best driver in the world
Horner said, “This weekend shows if you are still working hard and never give up anything, it is possible.
“This was one of Max’s best weekends. Without any debate, he is currently the best driver in the world. Hard work has been done (in qualifying) but was perfect in the race.
“We worked hard to give him a car from which he could make the most of and left the wheels, was stunning. Nailed the last bullying and that was enough.
“He is a motator for us as Mr. and there is no more motivator than victory. We know that this car has some vice and we know where we have to improve.”
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Fernando Alonson says Verstappen keeps the title Fight alive, but fears that she will come shortly against McLarens Better Car
Verstappen won several races last year, where he did not have the fastest car that turned out to be essential when he finished 63 points ahead of Norris and 81 from Piastri.
Asked if he now expects to compete in any race that moves forward, from next week the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Dutch said, “I don’t think so. We still have to do that.
“We want to be better than if we ever be there. Hopefully we are constantly improving by car and unlocking a little more pace. To fight for the title, we need more.”
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Verstappen and Lando Norris clashed from the pit, with the McLaren driver on the grass in the battle of the position
Norris: Verstappen’s triumph is not a surprise
Norris expects a battle with Verstappen all year round and was not shocked by the stunning performance of his opponent in Japan.
The McLaren driver said, “I don’t think there is a reason why he would be surprised by Max. I don’t think I have ever been. I don’t need someone to tell me what Max is able to do.
“I know how good it was, because in 2015 we shook our hands or something – and I was half the height I was now.
This is what happens if you deal with the Dutch lion, which is Max Verstappen. You get it and lose the race. This must be for the first operational mistake and this year it lost the opportunity for McLaren – but what path from Max.
“I still believe that we will have some good races and we can go on our feet and that sometimes it will come to the top and more.
McLaren’s team director Andrea Stella acknowledges that Verstappen is a threat to his team, but he feels that he will be difficult for the ruling world champion throughout the season if he is not in the fastest car.
Stella said, “When Max increases the game so much that you need to kill bikes in qualifying and bring home any possible millisecond.
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Watch the winning moment when Verstappen claimed victory in Suzuka
“Hopefully, not all circuits will be at this level of tire degradation (in Japan) and other circuits that we will be able to use our full potential that I think will remain the best car.
“Max makes the difference alone, but it’s very difficult to keep up with 24 events in the season if you don’t have the best car.”
Sky Sports Puntit – and the 1997 World Champion – Jacques Villeneuve also offered the word caution for Red Bull and added, “Max will always be there to catch anything, but that’s a car that will suffer in heat and will be more difficult.”
Formula 1 continues its triple header in Sakhir for Bahrain Grand Prix next weekend 11.-13. April, lives on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with now – no contract whenever cancel
