What the four-time world champion pulled off at Suzuka was a true masterclass. Max Verstappen, despite driving a Red Bull that was likely even behind Ferrari, had no trouble controlling the Japanese GP, earning praise from Fernando Alonso.
The Spanish driver had already spoken highly of the Dutchman after his pole position. “I’m not surprised. If there’s someone who can do these things, it’s him,” said the two-time world champion at the end of qualifying.
The RB21 is certainly not the best car on the grid and is probably, in addition to McLaren, also behind Mercedes and Ferrari. Nevertheless, Max Verstappen continues to consistently bring it to the front, staying right behind Norris in the standings.
Car number 1 is in fact just one point behind the McLaren driver and twelve ahead of Oscar Piastri. A result that, should Red Bull manage to fix the car’s issues, keeps the dream of a fifth consecutive title alive.
Fernando Alonso’s quip at the end of the race
After the third Grand Prix of the season, Fernando Alonso renewed his praise for Max Verstappen, adding a joke about his own past. “What he’s doing no longer surprises us much. He’s doing something incredible by keeping the championship alive. It reminds me a bit of 2012. Driving the third or fourth car on the grid and still fighting for the title—I hope for his sake he can do it until the final race.”
The reference is clearly to the season in which Fernando Alonso, despite having an F2012 that was far from top-tier, managed to bring Ferrari within just three points of winning the drivers’ championship.
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