Verstappen Mocks Vettel and Ferrari over Championship Claims

Max Verstappen mocked Sebastian Vettel after his title challenge with Lewis Hamilton took another blow this morning.

Ferrari got their tyre choice all wrong in the final qualifying session of the Japanese Grand Prix so Vettel will have to start the race from ninth of the grid.

Meanwhile, Hamilton secured the 80th pole position of his career and he will be joined on the front row by team-mate Valtteri Bottas for the second week in a row.

Verstappen secured third place for Red Bull behind both Mercs. After qualifying he was asked if he would move aside for Vettel if the Ferrari man can fight his way through the field.

But the Dutchman will not be giving up any positions as he reckon’s the German’s title chances are now over.

“Is it still a battle? I am not sure,” Verstappen said with a cheeky smile.

Hamilton leads Vettel by 50 points in the Drivers’ Championship and he is expected to add further breathing space come lights out tomorrow (6.10am BST).

Verstappen has the ability to cause an upset if he can split the two Mercedes’ early on but for him the focus is on just securing a podium place.

“I think realistically normally we would be close to Ferrari but it would be hard to beat them,” he added.

“We made the right call in Q3 so of course I am very happy to be third.

“It is a shame that we couldn’t give the fans a really cool Q3 but it is great to see them over here.

“There are so passionate about Formula One. Even when it is raining they stay and when it is dark, they also stay. It is crazy to see. I didn’t expect to start third but of course we have a bigger chance to be on the podium.”

Meanwhile, Hamilton was delighted to once again start on pole.

“The team have done an amazing job this weekend and the call that we made to go out for Q3 was probably the most difficult call,” Hamilton said.

“We were trying to figure out what to do and the team were spot on with it.

“They gave us this opportunity to grab this pole position.

“While it was an anticlimax because I couldn’t do the last lap it was my 80th pole. I can’t believe I have 80.”