Max Verstappen is racing into the Roaring Twenties with his third title. With his success, the Dutchman also saved the job of the much-criticized Sergio Perez, RTL reporter Felix Görner finds in his column for sport.de. The F1 insider sees the highest risk of crashes not only at Mercedes and sharply criticizes Williams.
Congratulations to Max Verstappen! The last time Michael Schumacher managed to be world champion with six races to go was in 2002. This is not an everyday achievement.
We are clearly in the golden (or gold-blue) twenties for Max Verstappen. We are in the middle of Max Verstappen’s decade – and it will continue. His ease and sovereignty are in a league of their own when it comes to driving – against a seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, against a two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. Of course he also drives a very good Red Bull.
Formula 1: A record for eternity awaits
This class is exceptional in this league of exceptional gentlemen. And then, above all, to stand out again. He can win the next five races and wants to win them and thus win the jackpot. As of today, he will achieve that. Then we’ll have a record that will last forever, I’m already committed to that.
Just like the Verstappen title, it was foreseeable that things would happen at Mercedes (see our column on the last Grand Prix).
The whole thing is a logical chain reaction of an aggravated relationship between the “young” and the “old”. It’s great how Hamilton reacted afterwards and quickly admitted his mistake. If you compare this to before, it is a quantum leap in fairness. But it shows how frayed his nerves are on the track. The poor starting position meant that he had to work his way forward and then went a little crazy. There will continue to be collisions on the track because both are racing for the number 1 position at Mercedes and Russell doesn’t care that his opponent is Hamilton. He will probably stay behind him in terms of points, but he has already beaten him.
Something similar at McLaren: The young Oscar Piastri is already scratching Lando Norris’ status. The Australian has already shown this twice in a row in the sprint and main race. That’s something Norris will respond to. That’s why Formula 1’s number 2 ignition point is at McLaren. In terms of form on the day, the duo is currently the strongest driver pairing in Formula 1. Both are very, very young, but drive at an incredibly high level.
Sergio Perez is on probation
I stick with my assessment – even after the conversation with Helmut Marko: Verstappen saves Perez’s contract. He covers everything up. Perez’s qualifying performance is usually a reason to replace the driver. Only because you have won both championships is there peace
Felix Görner is an RTL reporter and Formula 1 expert
Now there are two tracks that suit him and his home GP in Mexico, where he will get a lot of support. That will save him and he will also start at Red Bull in 2024. But: If things continue the way they ended this year in 2024, he will be replaced. So he goes on probation and goes into the next season on probation. His nerves are shot, he makes too many mistakes in the race. But Verstappen destroys the enemy in his own garage – he is that strong.
Williams simply incomprehensible
There is nothing new from Williams. It’s an incomprehensible decision to stick with Logan Sargeant just for the money. For reasons of sporting fairness, however, it is incomprehensible. You have to replace the overwhelmed young driver because he doesn’t have what it takes to drive competitively in F1 cars.
Now we’re looking forward to the next five Verstappen shows. It continues in the USA. Everything is waiting for the show of the new three-time world champion.
Felix Görner