Max Verstappen produced probably one of the best weekends in his F1 career to win Japanese Grand Prix-Pa four-time world champion McLaren sent a warning that this year’s title race could be at least a three-way fight?
McLaren entered the weekend as a strong favorite because of the nature of the Susuke, which would, on paper, respond to their car.
They also won the opening of two races in the season in Australia and China, with the dominant one or two on the other, showing a great pace of runners in both Grands Prix.
But Verstappen raced the Pole Pole -Polish position by Suzuka Lap before they rejected McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastra in the race to reduce Norris leadership in a single point after three rounds.
The Red Bull team director Christian Horner called Verstappen “Inch Perfect” as he secured his first victory in the year after finishing in second and fourth place in Australia and China.
The result is that McLaren something to think about, despite the fact that the clothing based in Woking had the fastest car online for the third consecutive racing weekend.
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Ted Kravitz Sky F1 reflects on all major points of conversation from the Japanese Grand Prix
Horner: Verstappen is currently the best driver in the world
Horner said, “This weekend shows that if you continue to work hard and never give up anything.
“It was one of Max’s best weekends. Without any discussion, he is currently the best driver in the world. Horrous work was done (in qualifying), but he was perfect in the race.
“We worked hard to give him a car that managed to get the most and drove the wheels from it, he was astonishing. He scored the last chic and that was enough.
“For us, Mr. is a motivator and there is no greater motivator than victory. We know that this car has some vices and we know where we need to improve.”
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Fernando Alonson says Verstappen keeps the fight for the title I live, but fears he will appear against McLarens better cars
Verstappen won several races last year, where he did not have the fastest car that turned out to be crucial because he finished 63 points ahead of Norris and 81 Crse of Piastra.
Asked if he expects to compete in every race moving forward now, starting with Grand Prix Bahrain next week, Dutchman said, “I don’t think so. We still have to work. But it shows that if we really knock, we can be worse.
“We want to be better than we were sometimes worse. I hope we continue to improve the car and unlock a little more pace. To fight for the title, we need more.”
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Verstappen and Lando Norris clashed out of the pits and the McLaren driver left on the grass in the battle for a position
Norris: Verstappen’s triumph is not a surprise
Norris expects a battle with Verstappen all year long and was not shocked by the amazing performance of his rival in Japan.
The driver McLaren said, “I don’t think the reason for Max surprise me. I don’t think I’ve never been. I don’t need anyone to tell me what Max is able to do.
“I know how good he was since we shook hands in 2015 or something – and I was half a height.
This happens when you are dealing with the Dutch lion that is Max Verstappen. You will be sharpened and losing the race. It must be for the first operational mistake and lost the opportunity for McLaren this year – but what is the drive from Max.
“I still believe we will have good races and we can go to the heel and that some days they will go out and others will.
Team Director McLaren Andrea Stella accepts that Verstappen is a threat to her team, but he thinks it will be difficult for the ruling world champion to compete the whole season if he is not in the fastest car.
Stella said, “When Max raises so much game, you need to lease circles in qualifying and bring home any possible millisecond.
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Look at the winning moment while Verstappen demanded a victory in Suzuki
“We hope that not all circles will be that level of tire degradation (in Japan) and other circles, we will be able to use our full potential that I think is still the best car.
“I made a difference Max, but it’s very difficult to keep track of 24 events in the season if you don’t have the best car.”
Sky Sports Pundit – and World Champion 1997. – Jacques Villeneuve also offered the word of precaution for Red Bull, adding: “Max will always be there to grab everything he can, but it’s a car that will suffer in the heat and get harder.”
Formula 1 continues with a triple institute in Sakhir for Bahrain Grand Prix next weekend 11th to 13th April, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with now – No Treaty, cancel anytime
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2025-04-06 10:30:00
