However, his highlight followed in Japan: While in qualifying everyone just waited excited whether Piatri was his team -mate Norris, who had made the fastest lap until then, the pole position was still being able to take away, suddenly banged in between. With a round like from the picture book, he jumped to first place in front of Norris and stayed there when Piatri ended his round a short time later. Verstappen grabbed the pole position with a new round record on the route in Suzuka.
Anyone who thought was that this was a phenomenon that was only possible over a quick round, the apprenticeship in the race a day later. At the start, the Dutch asserted himself against the attacks of the McLarens and remained in the lead. Norris and Piatri hunted the world champion over the entire racing distance, and they did not allow more than one to two seconds. But Verstappen remained freezing cold, drove a flawless race and was able to celebrate the victory in the end. The Spanish sports newspaper “Marca” then even described Verstappen as “monster”. The fact that all 61 of Red Bulls points have so far been scored by Verstappen, while his teammates could not win a single point, tells the whole story.
Even a two -time world champion like Fernando Alonso was enthusiastic about Verstappen’s performance. “I think there is currently no other driver who can move a car so far beyond its actual potential,” said the Spaniard. “I think that was a magical moment for everyone here.” Verstappen shows “these magical rounds in the qualification and these incredible races. For me, he is clearly the best driver out there, a yardstick for all of us.”
Today’s Aston Martin Pilot Verstappen’s current season compared with his own situation in 2012. At that time, Alonso had fought for the World Cup in an inferior Ferrari against Red Bull and McLaren. “I think people don’t realize how difficult it is,” he said, describing his situation at the time. “Because you have to be perfect every weekend.”