Max-imum effort in wet conditions leads to Verstappen becoming a Formula One World Champion once again with Red Bull
Follow Us
Max Verstappen (IMAGO / PanoramiC)
From practice to pole and red flag to the top podium spot at the treacherous Suzuka circuit on Sunday, Max Verstappen defined class and composure. Without sounding cliche, Max was in a world of his own this weekend.The expectation was he would wrap up his second World Championship, possibly, in Singapore a week ago. The night race did not go as desired after the Dutch driver had a bunch of mishaps along with a string of bad luck.
Over to Suzuka in Japan, the home of Honda, Max Verstappen was again in his elements. History beckoned, fans beckoned, this country was seeing an F1 Grand Prix after three years, because of the COVID pandemic. Max did not look great in the free practice sessions. Yet, when it came to the blistering Saturday qualifiers, he was back to being the best. Sunday was bizarre. Red flag early on, incidents straightaway in Lap 1, some so scary, you needed to be ice-cool and as calm as a neuro-surgeon to soak in the pressure. Once the race was halted, the break was not good. It definitely affects the composure of drivers and how teams strategise.
It poured, as if heavens had opened floodgates. Once back on track, and with just 28 laps possible, the safety car was ahead and Max Verstappen was behind it. Even as TV commentators were talking all F1 jargon on water spray, tyre change strategy and how down-force from the beasts would kick up water which would land on the helmet visor, Max had lesser worries. His job was to stay ahead and go full throttle. F1 fans had not seen a wet race in a long time. Racing in ideal conditions is very different from wet conditions. More than tyre strategy, visibility was the key issue on Sunday. Well, Max showed yet again that he could master the wet conditions.
You have to admire the way he Max(imised) it
It’s not easy to go flat out when there is hesitancy in the head and the heartbeat is racing. Yes, the adrenaline flow was there, but the 25-year-old Belgian, a second-generation F1 racer, showed pedigree and the gene pool to come out on top. You have to admire the way he Max(imised) it once he stepped into the cockpit after the rain break.
He knew there was pressure but his racing style was neat. He gave an impression all he wanted to do was finish the race first as he followed the tenets of racing to perfection. Even as the drivers behind him were struggling with their racing line and how to overtake, Max was in the zone. Yes, he did have a superb Red Bull beast. It was fast and the master at the wheel showed he could tease the crowds with skills which were silken.
Having started on wet tyres after the rain break, he dived into the pits for a quick change to intermediates. The whole pit stop was so quick, you could have missed it. The team had backed him brilliantly and the driver responded with the same effort. He was not thinking about sealing the world championship or the points coming into play. The prime job was to finish first. Little did he know, when he stepped out of the car and walked to be interviewed by TV he had already become world champion. His response was so humble, fans went gaga.
Max Verstappen has handled his star status without showing off
Winning his first World Championship in 2021 was towards the fag end of the season. And Lewis Hamilton still feels he was robbed of the title by the race director. In 2022, Max has been turbo-charged in his approach. He has handled his star status without showing off. Winning 12 races in 2022 has been fantastic. And some of them were not from pole position. What is the difference between Max and Lewis?
Well, they are as different as cheese and chalk. Lewis loves publicity, is a show-off, does plenty of stuff as stunts. In contrast, Max is business-like, gets the job done. Comparing champions is very tough. All one can say is Red Bull has been dominant. First, when Seb Vettel was the team’s champion driver and now with Max as the lead character.
It was sad that Vettel, now looking like Jesus Christ, was saying goodbye to Suzuka as he retires at the end of this season. Max Verstappen is her to stay. Unlike Nico Rosberg, who quit F1 after winning one World Championship, Max has shown that there is a lot more to achieve. He is just 25. Maybe, by 30, he will be even more mature. Oh yes, there are a few more races in the 2022 season. Max is not going to back-off. As it is, other teams are already preparing for the 2023 season.
Did someone say Red Bull overshot the budget cap?
In case you forgot, the Prancing Horse (Ferrari team) in old days were serial offenders when it came to budget caps being busted. Let’s talk of Max the champion, not the politics of F1 for a few days. Keep smiling champion, you deserve it.
Also read : “F1 trying to create a suspense in the title race” – Fans skeptical of a comeback by Charles Leclerc this season
Also read : “Maybe we will add an engine…,” George Russell at risk of grid penalty as Mercedes consider engine change
Stay Updated!
S Kannan
(382 Articles Published)