Criticism of Max Verstappen: “Not exactly smart!” / System 1

Max Verstappen shows the performance of a world champion in the traditional Japanese GP to win his 57th Grand Prix. It is his third consecutive success at Suzuka, after 2022 and 2023. Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Dutchman managed to finish his 101st podium in the first class.

For his Red Bull Racing team, the victory in Japan is the 116th GP victory, the seventh in Japan after Sebastian Vettel in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014 along with Verstappen’s three victories. It is Red Bull Racing’s 31st double win in Formula 1, third this season after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and fourth in Japan.

Remarkable: All the races in 2024 ended with two victories – the first two races of the World Championship for Red Bull Racing, then followed the victory of Ferrari in Australia, now Red Bull Racing again. RBR got a row of 269 and 270 podiums.

The World Championship leader says of the race in Japan: “The car went faster and faster during the race, it was easier from race to race. Things couldn’t have been better today, great team result!”

Max says: “It took me a couple of laps to get used to the way the car handles. We changed the setup before qualifying, and that paid off today. There was also a small change in the front wing when stopping, but everything went well after that.

“I asked my race engineer Gianpiero for the change of the front wing, he quickly said – are you sure? As it turned out, his idea was the best. I don’t want to reveal what we changed later, but luckily everything went well. After the loss in Australia, I’m happy that we were able to win again. I felt the car had more grip during the race, and that was what decided it.”

The three-time world champion has now won from pole for the 30th time in his GP career and says: “I had too much wheel spin at the start of the second, but I was able to stay in front of Checo. I knew this was an important moment. Overtaking Suzuka it’s very difficult, so it was important to stay ahead.”

Sometimes winners report hidden dramas after the race, but nothing to report this time. Max says: “I don’t think we could have done anything better today. We executed our perfect starting position in the race, the strategy was right from A to Z, and our mechanics always did an exemplary job.

“The hard tires felt better today than the medium hard ones. But the main thing is that everything went well.”

“I’m very happy that we were able to show the Japanese fans such a good race and also get two wins for Honda. This also shows that Australia’s loss was an outsider, we showed here that we are superior.”

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff says: “No one will meet Max this year.”

Verstappen smiles: “Isn’t it good how Toto is talking about me now? No, seriously – I’m not changing my plan. I take it one race at a time and always try to make the most of each day. But I am sure that there will be a day when our opponents will be able to win.”

“I expect more resistance on the road courses, although we have been better in the slower corners and more on the road.”

From Japan it will go to China as a short race weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit. Max, his voice dropping sarcastically: “Good choice! We haven’t raced there in years, now we’re having a race weekend there. That’s not exactly smart. But at the end of the day, everyone knows how much I love running…”

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round
outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0