{"id":56837,"date":"2025-04-06T12:57:11","date_gmt":"2025-04-06T10:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/japanes-f1-gp-they-said-it-was-the-car-then-suzuka-happened\/"},"modified":"2025-04-15T15:35:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T13:35:04","slug":"japanes-f1-gp-they-said-it-was-the-car-then-suzuka-happened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/japanes-f1-gp-they-said-it-was-the-car-then-suzuka-happened\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese F1 GP: They said it was the car \u2013 then Suzuka happened"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Doubters, naysayers, and detractors have been a staple in Formula 1 for as long as the sport has existed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, in contemporary times, these voices are louder and more noticeable, thanks to social media.
The critics have been especially vocal lately about Max Verstappen\u2019s genuine ability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They express doubt about his talent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They claim he is only capable of winning in a dominant car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The question is simple for all those who hold this opinion\u2014what say you now?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the second half of 2024, it was clear that the Red Bull car had started to lose steam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

McLaren not only closed the gap but also moved slightly ahead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was unquestionably underlined by McLaren winning the Constructor\u2019s Championship and starting 2025 as red-hot favourites for both titles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Red Bull, even outside of their difficult car, hasn\u2019t done much to inspire great confidence. The second-driver debacle rages on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key team personnel are seeking opportunities elsewhere. Verstappen is rumoured to be off to either Mercedes or Aston Martin at the end of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This weekend was different. All the dramas seemed to disappear. The controversies and struggles vanished with one majestic sweep of Max Verstappen\u2019s steering wheel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Red
Red Bull Racing’s British team principal and CEO Christian Horner (C) reacts as members of his team celebrate the victory by Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen (far R) after the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There wouldn\u2019t have been many who would have bet on Verstappen even featuring in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They would not have been at fault. Red Bull’s lacklustre performances in the first two race weekends of the year explained their doubts. But Verstappen has always had something special with Suzuka.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the place where he made his free practice debut as a 16-year-old. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has dominated here during the last three F1 visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In true champion fashion, he delivered a stunning lap to take pole ahead of both McLarens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s no secret that pole position at a track like Suzuka is a big deal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The circuit is tight, twisty, and difficult to overtake on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being in P1 means that the pace can be controlled. Tyres can be looked after. The strategy can be dictated\u2014up to a point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

McLaren had both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri virtually glued to the Red Bull\u2019s gearbox for most of the race. Still, they failed to capitalise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, both cars were pitted within a lap of each other. The team was unwilling to try an innovative strategy. They did not put pressure on Verstappen. This is what cost them the win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While McLaren did win the 2024 Constructor\u2019s Championship, they aren\u2019t yet the well-oiled machine of Red Bull. There is hesitancy, and perhaps a lack of either creativity or boldness on the pit wall.
They need to resolve this soon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Verstappen proved this weekend that he is not to be counted out. It\u2019s a striking enigma. Red Bull has the best driver but not the best car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

McLaren has the best car but drivers slightly behind Verstappen. They also have a team that isn’t always capable of maximising every opportunity. It\u2019s a tantalising prospect for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As it stands, Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive win in Japan, with Norris and Piastri completing the podium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from Verstappen\u2019s stupendously impressive drive, the race itself wasn\u2019t a barnstormer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ferrari still seems slightly off the pace. Charles Leclerc finished a distant fourth. He was ahead of Mercedes\u2019 George Russell, who came in fifth. Kimi Antonelli had a long first stint. This stint made him the youngest driver ever to lead a Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He eventually finished sixth. Yet, for all that, Lewis Hamilton\u2019s Ferrari foray isn\u2019t quite clicking yet, with the 7-time champion coming home in seventh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Isack Hadjar drove an impressive race to finish eighth for Racing Bulls, while Alex Albon claimed ninth for Williams. Another rookie, Ollie Bearman, rounded off the top ten for Haas. It wasn\u2019t quite the dream start at Red Bull for Yuki Tsunoda, who crossed the finish line in twelfth. Remarkably, the entire race went completely without incident\u2014no yellow flags, no retirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given that everyone agrees the Red Bull isn\u2019t near the quickest car on the grid, Verstappen\u2019s drive borders on virtuosic. It was stellar in every sense of the word and a striking reminder to any who doubt his superlative talents.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Max Verstappen’s impressive win at the Japanese Grand Prix showcased his extraordinary talent, challenging doubts about his abilities, even as Red Bull’s car struggles 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Verstappen Silences Critics with Japan GP Victory | VrystaatKroon<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Max Verstappen silences critics with his impressive Japan GP win, proving his talent behind the wheel once again.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/japanes-f1-gp-they-said-it-was-the-car-then-suzuka-happened\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Japanese F1 GP: They said it was the car \u2013 then Suzuka happened\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Max Verstappen silences critics with his impressive Japan GP win, proving his talent behind the wheel once again.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/vrystaatkroon\/japanes-f1-gp-they-said-it-was-the-car-then-suzuka-happened\/\" 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