Fernando Alonso Welcomes Max Verstappen to Exclusive F1 Club, but Warns Newly Crowned Champ of What is to Come

From leading every single lap and winning the race to eventually becoming the world champion, all of this has made the 2022 Japanese GP a memorable one for Max Verstappen. The Dutchman is collecting accolades from all across the world, and fellow two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has a special message too.

The Red Bull man, after the conclusion of the shortened Japanese GP, wasn’t aware he had won the championship. To Verstappen’s credit, most weren’t until Leclerc earned himself a 5-second penalty pushing him to P3 from P2. However, after the confusion dissipated, Verstappen officially became a two-time world champion.

Following official confirmation, the entire F1 fraternity congratulated Verstappen. The current Alpine man, Fernando Alonso, also shared a special message.

“Congratulations to Max and Red Bull. It was outstanding, the job they’ve been doing this year. When you win a championship with 4 races to the end, it means that you did something exceptional. So congratulations and welcome to the club and hopefully I wish you more luck than what I had,” he said.

However, soon after congratulating Verstappen, Alonso also fired a small warning. He said, “Next year, hopefully, you have more competition than this year and I’m on that spot as well.”

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The Spaniard is moving to Aston Martin from Alpine for the 2023 season. A move he is making specifically to challenge for the championship.

Pushing past the accolades, what does Verstappen have to play for in the remaining four races?

The records Max Verstappen can chase in the remaining four races

First things first, after securing his driver’s championship, Verstappen would like to help Red Bull to the constructors’ championship as well. Red Bull’s first constructors’ title since 2013 shouldn’t be a problem with the 1-2 in Japan edging them closer.

Now looking at personal accolades, the Dutchman can secure one record to his name in the remaining four races. Verstappen has won 12 races in the season so far. One more and he will get the record for most wins in a season with 13, a stat that is already shared by two greats Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schuhmacher.

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With two race wins in the next four, Verstappen can make the record his own. The current form that Verstappen is in, we wouldn’t put it past him.