“Not seen at all”
“I would have sat in the car …”: Verstappen mocked Norris
“I would have sat in the car …”: Verstappen mocked Norris
07.04.2025, 12:14 p.m.
Max Verstappen shows his extra class after a difficult start to the season in the third race of the Formula 1 season. The series world champion fully costs the victory in Suzuka.
Max Verstappen quickly followed his gala performance on the Suzuka route. “I don’t even want to imagine what would have happened if I had been sitting in this other car,” said the Formula 1 world champion, after he had impressively reported with a win in Japan despite the inferiority of his Red Bull: “Then I would not have been seen anymore.”
However, because Verstappen starts (still) for Red Bull, he was almost one and a half seconds ahead of Lando Norris at the finish line, who, as a McLaren driver, undoubtedly has the best car in the premier class, but nevertheless found no remedy against the champion. “Red Bull and Max had a perfect weekend and we were a few milliseconds away from perfection,” said McLaren team boss Andrea Stella: “These are the margins that we currently have in this sport.”
“Only he can”
After 3 out of 24 races, a duel between the best team and the best driver is already emerging. Only Verstappen is one point behind the World Cup leading Norris, and only he is able to beat the British and his McLaren teammate Oscar Piatri. “I think there is currently no other driver who can move a car so far beyond its actual potential,” said ex-world champion Fernando Alonso about Verstappen: “Only he can.” Red Bulls Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko spoke of the “Verstappen-Factor” and meant the pinch of extra class that only has the champion.
In order for some ingredients to be conjured up and compensate for the performance disadvantage compared to McLaren, which came together in Suzuka. Thanks to an outstanding round in qualifying, he secured the pole position, which is decisive in Suzuka due to the few overtaking options. In addition, the temperatures on race day were lower than before and the Red Bull was therefore not so susceptible to tire wear. “The McLaren were faster, but they just couldn’t get into the DRS window to really build up pressure,” analyzed Verstappen.
“Will continue to work hard”
In addition, McLaren unconsciously helped: the tactic of the world of designers was too conservative to endanger Verstappen. In addition, the faster -looking Piatri did not receive the release to overtake Norris and hunt off Verstappen.
The Dutchman wants the lightness of past days back when he had rushed from victory to victory: “We don’t just want to be at the top, but always if possible.” But the way there is long and rocky, the next race is already in Bahrain on Sunday. In completely different conditions and significantly higher temperatures, the McLaren drivers are again top favorites.
This knows that and the 27-year-old feels good in this role. The pressure lies with McLaren, while Verstappen circles only through its presence and the class unique in the driver field as a constant threat. “We will continue to work hard,” promised Verstappen: “And then we see where we land.”
