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Max Verstappen’s dominant performance at the Japanese Grand Prix, as he claimed his third victory in four races this year, left no doubt that the Dutchman is the clear favorite to win his fourth world title this year. season.
And while Ferrari, its closest competitor, is hoping it can make gains to start putting Red Bull under more pressure for wins, Wolff thinks it’s a pipe dream that anyone can stop Verstappen.
“No one will catch Max this year,” Wolff said in Japan. “His driving and his car are simply spectacular. You can see the way he handles the tires and basically this season is now [about] the best of the rest.
But Red Bull doesn’t see things as simple as that, with Horner taking the opportunity to subtly take a dig at his nemesis.
“It’s very early to write off your year,” Horner said when asked about Wolff’s comments. “There are still 20 races to go, but I learned not to listen too much to what Toto said over the years.”
Red Bull Motorsport advisor Helmut Marko also supported Horner’s view that it was far too early for rivals to congratulate them on clinching the title.
“Please leave me alone,” Marko told oe24 of Wolff’s remarks. “We only ran four races. There are 20 left. In Melbourne, we saw how quickly everything can change. Ferrari are strong and reliable, we can’t rule them out yet. »
Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Marko, however, agreed with Wolff’s assessment that Verstappen was driving so well at the moment.
“We have a good car, but Max once again makes the difference,” he added. “Everything was clear at Suzuka, but then Max set that fastest lap on worn tires, not just for fun, but to send his message: ‘Hello, you’re only here to finish second!’
Despite being aware that the world championship is far from won, Horner also felt that Verstappen is in incredible form.
“I think he’s in great shape,” he said. “He changed coaches this winter. He’s fit, he’s slim and the car is in a big window. You can hear the available capacity it has in the car.
“He wants to know not only who is behind him, but also who is behind it, and when they are doing it. The capacity it has is very impressive. So yes, the form he had last year has just come to fruition.
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