Verstappen’s Masterclass, McLaren’s Lament
Suzuka usually serves up a spectacle, but this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix felt oddly processional—a bit like Monaco without the yachts. However, even in a relatively dull race, the brilliance of Max Verstappen shone through, reminding everyone exactly why he’s a four-time World Champion (much to my disappointment!)
Verstappen’s Dominant Weekend
Coming into the weekend, expectations were low for Red Bull, who’ve struggled to match McLaren’s outright pace in recent races. Yet Verstappen, defying all odds, clinched a spectacular pole position and maintained dominance throughout Sunday’s race. The Dutchman managed an early lead and navigated a potentially messy pit-stop incident with Lando Norris without penalty, emerging unscathed and untouchable.
Verstappen’s win marks his fourth consecutive victory at Suzuka and his 64th Grand Prix triumph. It wasn’t just a win; it was a strategic masterclass in managing tyre wear and fending off any McLaren threat, underlining Red Bull’s superior tactical play.
Let’s face it, Verstappen also holds the higher ground mentally with Norris already in the season from this race.
McLaren’s Strategy Woes
On paper, McLaren arrived in Japan with the quickest car and arguably the strongest driver pairing. But come race day, their lacklustre performance and unimaginative race tactics raised eyebrows. Despite Norris and Oscar Piastri rounding out the podium, their approach felt cautious, uninspiring, and disappointingly predictable.
Their mid-race pit stop bluff, an almost childishly transparent move to force Red Bull’s hand, summed up McLaren’s current limitations. It’s one thing to have speed; it’s entirely another to execute a winning strategy against a team like Red Bull, known for their on-the-ball race decisions. McLaren’s hesitancy and lack of innovative thinking allowed Verstappen a comfortable victory and showed why Norris remains just one point ahead of the Dutchman in the championship.
A Forgettable Afternoon for Ferrari and Mercedes
Charles Leclerc delivered a solid but uninspiring fourth place for Ferrari. Meanwhile, Mercedes’ George Russell and impressive rookie Kimi Antonelli showcased decent pace but lacked the bite to truly challenge the top three. Lewis Hamilton’s race was forgettable, his seventh-place finish far below where he was imagining when he joined Ferrari.
Tsunoda’s Disappointing Red Bull Debut
Yuki Tsunoda, making his highly anticipated Red Bull debut at his home Grand Prix, couldn’t deliver the fairytale result fans craved. Although he earned the Driver of the Day accolade, finishing outside the points in 12th was undoubtedly disappointing, especially given his team mate won the race. Getting into the RedBull suited to Max Verstappen seems a curse for so many drivers! If anyone can get there, I’m sure Tsunoda can.
Quiet Day for Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso finally saw a chequered flag after early-season retirements, though only in 11th. Lance Stroll spent the afternoon seemingly doing development work, languishing far behind. With rumours swirling about Verstappen possibly moving to Aston Martin, one has to wonder what’s next for the ambitious team that seems to have given up on this season already!
Suzuka’s Surprising Lack of Action
A typically thrilling circuit like Suzuka strangely delivered little action. Overtakes were scarce, and the processional nature of the race highlighted F1’s ongoing struggles to produce exciting racing consistently. McLaren’s lack of initiative particularly contributed to the anticlimactic feel.
Bahrain Next
Next week, teams and drivers head to Sakhir, Bahrain. With Verstappen hot on Norris’ heels in the championship, McLaren must urgently rethink their approach to race strategy and execution. If not, Verstappen may well be celebrating his fifth championship far sooner than anticipated.
For now, Suzuka was all about Verstappen’s brilliance and McLaren’s missed opportunity—a stark reminder that speed alone won’t win championships.
Author: Fred RJ Warner
STACKS fS: Purpose & Passion, Love One Life.
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