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The antihero still ready for his title… The FIA is obscuring politics so as not to spoil Max Verstappen’s joy with the Dutchman about to win a second World Championship in Japan
- Max Verstappen seems to win his second Formula 1 world championship
- The Dutchman could pick up the title tomorrow morning at Suzuka in Japan
- He is on pole position for the race after avoiding a penalty after qualifying
- There are allegations that Red Bull exceeded its budget cap last year
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At the start of the season, Max Verstappen was particularly curt when asked how the requirements change as a world champion.
“On the weekend I’m there to race, I’m not there to entertain the crowd,” said the Dutchman.
Every driver has his loyal legion of fans and so of course Verstappen has his own, but his role in this era of Formula 1 feels more like that of the anti-hero.
Max Verstappen could win his second World Championship in Japan this weekend
The Dutchman is on pole for the Grand Prix in Suzuku and will hold the title tomorrow
Fanatic Japanese fans are talking about Abu Dhabi, when Verstappen controversially passed Lewis Hamilton on the final lap after race director Michael Masi intervened to claim his first title.
They are talking about the delayed publication of the 2021 budget cap report, due Monday amid allegations, which have been denied, that Red Bull has crossed the £114 million cap en route to Verstappen’s first title.
They talk about Verstappen’s luck that the stewards are not deprived of pole position after a near-collision at Turn 15 with Lando Norris. That ended with a reprimand, no more than a slap on the wrist.
Red Bull has denied allegations that they went over the budget cap when it won last year
At the moment Verstappen is the best driver in the best car, there is no denying that and he will become a worthy champion.
But there’s also an inescapable belief that everyone is doing everything they can to avoid ruining a carefully choreographed title party here at the home of Honda, the manufacturer inextricably linked to Red Bull, which powered the 25-year-old engine last season. to honor.
Fans poured through the gates with ‘2022 World Champion’ banners and flags. The bourgeoisie in the Paddock Club giggled yesterday at meeting another crowned champion at Suzuka (there are 11 in Formula 1, with Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel and Ayrton Senna at that exclusive club).
Everyone seems to be doing everything they can not to ruin Verstappen’s title party
Talking about the budget cap is what annoyed Verstappen the most since he landed in Singapore at the last race.
What started out in the Italian media as something closer to rumors than facts was soon extrapolated to suggestions that Verstappen would have his 2021 title stripped and awarded to Hamilton.
Obviously this is highly unlikely as Red Bull is adamant that no foul has occurred and although the FIA ruling was due to take place last Wednesday, the pre-scheduled coronation in Japan appeared to be nothing more than an afterthought. Cue a handy delay.
Max Verstappen took pole position in the weekend where he can become world champion
The 25-year-old has been head and shoulders above the rest of the field all season
Figures at the FIA have cited the complexity of analyzing last season’s accounts as the cause, but the timing of the delay felt and feels significant.
Verstappen therefore wiped all questions away. Here to race not to get into the political warfare of the sport was the line he took.
Then came qualifying and his fifth pole position of the season, which blew away the rest of the field and placed him at the top of the pile. The plan went exactly as those in power had no doubt envisioned it.
He’s an anti-hero to many, but he probably won’t care when he picks up the World Championship
An investigation by the stewards followed, an enraged Norris claimed a grid penalty and the subsequent deprivation of pole position would ‘certainly’ happen for dangerous driving.
But by dropping Verstappen five places behind two fast Ferraris, his Red Bull running mate Sergio Perez and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon would have jeopardized today’s perfect day. No grid penalty, no penalty. Would go on the show.
Depending on who was asked, disbelief ensued, as often happens around Verstappen decision-making. An antihero? Too many. Not that he cares, especially when he looks back on title No2.