Max Verstappen focused on Japanese Grand Prix despite allegations of Red Bull breaching cost-cap

The roll call is a who’s who of Formula 1 greats: Nelson Piquet, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and Sebastian Vettel. All champions on Suzuka.

Max Verstappen knows he can write his name on that page with victory and the fastest lap tomorrow. Not that he wants to admit it. Verstappen has looked stern since he left Singapore for Japan.

Constant questions – all legitimate – about Red Bull’s accounts amid allegations of a fee cap violation have annoyed him. “It’s none of my business,” was the short answer when questioned about them this week.

For a man poised to emulate Sebastian Vettel’s 2011 win when the German took his second world title for Red Bull at Suzuka, Verstappen is desperate to talk about anything other than the inevitability of title No. 2.

But the beauty of the clinch at Suzuka has not been lost to Verstappen. In 2014, a smiley, cheerful 17-year-old Verstappen first encountered an F1 car here.

His first practice session that day for Toro Rosso, in which he became the youngest driver to participate in an F1 Grand Prix weekend, may not be long remembered by most – he finished 12th – but the Dutchman lights up when he is asked to go back to where it all started.

“I remember being on fire at the end of the session, that was good!” he’s beaming, an unfamiliar face lately.

“I remember the first time I pulled away, I couldn’t believe how much power I had. That was a shock to the system.

“If I compare myself as a driver now with then, that is a very big difference.”

He is relentless now – with his rivals and his own team, all in pursuit of greatness. Therefore, this second title, which may well be sealed on this famous track, will certainly not be the last.

Meanwhile, Verstappen’s longtime running mate at Red Bull, Pierre Gasly, is expected to confirm his switch from AlphaTauri to Alpine on Saturday.