Christian Horner believes Max Verstappen's aggression responsible for Japanese Grand Prix triumph

Christian Horner, Red Bull's team principal, attested to Verstappen's unwavering commitment, citing a game of padel tennis as an early indicator of his fiery determination.

Verstappen's supremacy on the high-speed Suzuka circuit was nothing short of awe-inspiring, as he crossed the finish line over 19 seconds ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris. This resounding victory not only solidified Verstappen's championship aspirations but also secured Red Bull's claim to the constructors' championship with an unprecedented six races still in the season.

The Dutch sensation's remarkable ten-race winning streak had been disrupted in Singapore just a week ago, but he came back with vengeance, leaving no room for doubt about his intentions. Verstappen's commanding lead over his teammate, Sergio Perez, now stands at an imposing 177 points, and he could potentially clinch his third world title during the upcoming Qatar sprint race.

Horner, impressed by Verstappen's fierce determination, commented on their pre-race padel tennis match, saying, "I played padel tennis with Max on Wednesday, and he was properly fired up and made it clear 'I want to win the race by 20 seconds,' and in fairness, he came within 0.7 of a second of achieving that."

From the moment Verstappen hit the track for practice one, it was evident that he was wholly focused on the race. His affinity for Suzuka, combined with an extraordinary qualifying performance, particularly his final lap, was nothing short of legendary. According to Horner, "Max is absolutely at the top of his game; he is the best driver in F1 at this point in time."

Horner continued to praise Verstappen's unrelenting drive, emphasizing his commitment and resilience. "He's just got this inner hunger, determination, and huge ability. He doesn't get distracted by the trappings of F1. He is an out-and-out racer. If he is not racing in the real world, he is racing in the virtual world. He's a winner, and he loves winning."

Red Bull's victory in Japan holds historical significance, as they became the first team in Formula One history to secure the constructors' championship with an astounding six races to spare. This monumental achievement extends Red Bull's legacy as a dominant force in F1, marking their sixth constructors' title since their debut in 2005.

The triumphant moment unfolded at Suzuka, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of Honda's presence in Formula 1. Christian Horner expressed his admiration for the team's tireless efforts, saying, "To achieve this sixth constructors' championship is beyond our wildest dreams... We are riding a wave and we want to ride that wave as long as we can."

While Verstappen soared to victory, his teammate, Sergio Perez, faced a day filled with adversity, enduring two front wing breaks and two penalties before ultimately retiring on lap 15. Perez's turbulent race day was a stark contrast to Verstappen's dominance.

McLaren continued to showcase their remarkable progress by securing second and third places, outperforming Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. This impressive feat was capped off with Oscar Piastri claiming his maiden F1 podium.

In the words of Lando Norris, "Another amazing day for us. A P2 and P3, so we couldn't have asked for more. We are pushing, we are getting there. The progress we've made is pretty outstanding."

As the Formula 1 season hurtles towards its climax, Max Verstappen's exceptional performance at Suzuka solidifies his claim as the sport's pre-eminent driver, with his sights firmly set on a third world title. Red Bull's historic win in the constructors' championship only adds to the drama of this thrilling season, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next race in Qatar.

 

Read More: Max Verstappen back to winning ways with dominant performance at Japanese Grand Prix (planetsport.com)