With One Hand on 2022 Title, Max Verstappen Makes Pessimistic Statement

Today’s Japanese Grand Prix Qualifying session saw Max Verstappen take yet another pole position for Sunday’s race. Primed for the perfect start, it is highly likely that Verstappen will win his second championship title tomorrow. And it will be extra special for Read Bull to win a world title at the home ground of their former engine supplier, Honda.

While many would think that Verstappen might be celebrating already, he is not concerned with the championship results.

After free practice sessions on a wet Suzuka track, the teams saw a rigorous qualifying session in dry conditions. Max Verstappen claimed the pole position with the fastest lap in Q3, followed closely by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Speaking from the parc ferme about the experience, Verstappen said, “It was pretty incredible to drive here again, especially in qualifying. When you’re on low fuel these cars really come alive in the first sector.”

Of course, with the results of the qualifying session, it is safe to anticipate a championship winner tomorrow, isn’t it? But Max had a contrarian mind to this:

“I’m not thinking about the championship still, I’m just taking it day by day. The most important thing is that we have a competitive car, and we had that today in qualifying. We still need that perfect race.”

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Max Verstappen’s dedication to racing is admirable and certainly honest. But, it also would be only human of him to think about the championship title that is so close within reach.

Max Verstappen and his incident with Lando Norris in Q3

However, all was not rosy for the Dutchman in the qualifying. An incident with Lando Norris in Q3 of the qualifying session almost put Verstappen’s pole into question.

Both drivers were on an out lap when Norris moved to overtake Verstappen. But, as he came past on the outside, Verstappen briefly lost control and swerved sideways. That forced Norris onto the grass.

Max explained the events in his own words: “I was just driving quite slow, and I wanted to accelerate, but my tyres were quite cold, so then I had a big moment. Then, of course, Lando was trying to pass me at the same time, so he had to avoid me a little bit, but luckily nothing happened.”

Luckily, nothing happened, but fans and Norris alike seemed disgruntled at Verstappen getting off without a penalty. Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, seemed to disagree with public opinion.

He said, “They both were on outlaps and there is a gentleman’s agreement between the drivers that when you get to that part of the circuit that you hold position and you file through the last corner one by one.”

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Gentleman’s agreement or not, one can only wait for the Sunday race now. Will Max Verstappen snatch his second world championship title tomorrow or wait for a little longer?