Our WhatsApp Formula 1 editorial chat summed up where some of us stand after Max Verstappen joked that victory in the Japanese Grand Prix would have been even more dominant had he been driving McLaren’s MCL39 instead of the Red Bull RB21.
After a majestic out-of-the-blue pole position at Suzuka - probably his best-ever Quali lap - in what many consider the fourth fastest car on the grid, Verstappen delivered a faultless performance on Sunday to claim his 64th Formula 1 victory. While Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri kept the Red Bull driver within range, the #1 Red Bull's lead was never seriously challenged over the 53-lap race.
Verstappen said overtaking was difficult throughout the Grand Prix, meaning Saturday’s qualifying result had already done much of the heavy lifting.
Speaking to Viaplay after the race, Verstappen said: “When I came here, I didn’t expect to win here at all—and after Friday, not at all. Starting on pole was the most important thing this weekend. McLaren, I think, was faster, but they couldn’t get into the DRS to make a move.
"I’m very happy with what I’m doing. I don’t even want to think about it if I’d been in that other car [McLaren]. Then you wouldn’t have seen me,” Verstappen said, what most of the Formula 1 paddock think.
Verstappen’s victory at Suzuka marks his fourth consecutive win at the Japanese Grand Prix, as Red Bull continue to lead both championships heading into the first European leg of the 2025 season.
Ruthless Guy in other words a ---t
In the aftermath of a fourth Max Verstappen-owned Japanese Grand Prix weekend, where he single-handily beat a pair of faster Mclarens at Suzuka, sensationally on Saturday and then masterfully on Sunday, GRANDPRIX247 Editor, Jad Mallak kick-started a debate on our lively and opinion-charged GP247 WhatsApp Group Chat this morning:
[Note: You can replace Ruthless Guy with your politically inappropriate expletive of choice.]
- JM: That's how you f@ck with Norris and Piastri's brains
- SS: That’s why Max is so damm good
- JM: Mate I have watched Michael in his peak, Vettel, Hamilton... Sadly too young to witness Senna, but I still can't get my head around Max's brilliance. He messed me up this weekend!
- SS: I thought he’d get it if it was wet, but… What he did with that RBRed Bull RB21 is something else. I believe the VCARB02 is a better race car."
- The conversation digressed to the possibility of Lawrence Stroll flinging a billion dollars to Team Verstappen to lure the posse to Aston Martin.
- SS: He’s the best chance AMR have of meeting Lawrences expectations. Lawrence should follow @PV advice and pop up the billion dollars.
- JM & PV: LOL
- SS: Sean: "That’s what I’d do … but Honda engine will be sh!t next year…"
PV: "If Stroll follows my advice he will go bankrupt tomorrow. None of the big top eight or so drivers will make a jump until the end of 2026 - SS: Stroll has just pumped in another bag load of cash into the manufacturer and Trumps tariffs have screwed him
- JM: Man he is going deeper into the project with his latest acquisition. Very high risk, Max will be a good insurance policy.
- SS: Yes, I think Max will go… development year then then then another WC
- JM: Yep. Goodbye Honda for now…
- SS: Actually, I remember Michael being more of a Ruthless Guy than Max so far
- JM: Ruthless wins titles mate lol
- KM: I don't have anything else to offer other than I want war and Lando doesn't know how to go in for the kill.
PV: I think I will quote you DT
Then the conversation shifted to a more serious and real-time discussion instigated by our resident World Champion, on the mental side of this contest between Verstappen, Norris and inevitably Piastri.
- DT: On the psychological part. The gap is almost the same as the gap between Norris to Max in Australia but opposite way. Except Max made zero mistakes while leading when Lando did. Max also makes it look like he was always under control and would never admit if he was not. On the opposite, Lando opens up about the pressure to have Max behind and even highlights his own mistakes. He needs to build self-confidence and stop thinking Max will move to give him space at pit exit!
- PV: I think I will quote you!
- DT: Max leads the psychological battle by miles (at least for now). And observers see him as the guy winning in the slower car. That kills Lando's confidence. And everyone has his eyes on Lando, no one is really expecting Piastri and he delivers better (except for the spin in Australia).
- SS: Every time I see Norris, everything about his body language cries doubt… in Piastri I see no doubt and in Max, I see belief that Norris will f@ck up. Only Norris thinks they’re mates… I think Max sees Piastri as the only threat."
In the aftermath of the Japanese Grand Prix, the general consensus was McLaren was not aggressive enough. It was always going to be a two versus one in their favour. If there came a chance it was after Verstappen and Norris pitted, and the McLaren was serviced a tad quicker than the Red Bull.
Verstappen could've been a lot nastier
Norris was full hammer down on tarmac that always ended (even during Quali and FPs) after 50 metres and sandy grass. Where was he going? With the benefit of hindsight and replays, he took the wrong option. And then complained about Max!
- SS: The grass bit exiting the pits was embarrassing and calling it only made it worse. Unfortunately, Norris is typical of a Good Guy trying to be the Ruthless Guy. He doesn’t seem to instinctively know when and how to act like a Ruthless Guy."
- PV: Norris is a good guy trying to act like a Ruthless Guy
- DT: Agreed big time. Do you see Lando going for Oscar the way Oscar went for him in Monza?
PV: Never. He had a stab right at the end at Suzuka for show I think
SS: Norris still thinks he’s the 'top dog' in that relationship, but I don’t think for much longer. Piastri just needs to overtake him in the Championship, and then Norris will deflate like a balloon…pwstttttt - SS: Lando thinks he has Max and Max is letting him think. Shame because he is quick.
- KM: Norris has a friendship to protect ❤️
- PV: ☝exactly that, It's a simple name a good guy who was World Champion in the last 30 years. They are all Ruthless Guys except maybe Button and Rosberg. Norris might be the next non-Ruthless Guy WDC. Time will tell
- SS: Button was only champ because he landed with his ass in the butter.
- PV: True. But still for the record a non-Ruthless Guy world champ. That's why we have to admire Rosberg for owning Lewis, at Lewis' zenith.
- SS: They all are, you have to be
- PV: Britney was not a Ruthless Guy. He had to become one.
- SS: The only time it’s a good thing.
- KM: Rosberg was explicitly fast, from the day he started testing the Williams, to the day he left and every day in between, he was, undoubtedly, as fast as anyone would ever want to be. Which has nothing to do with an unplugged Lando.
- PV: Hakkinen?
- SS: True… he had to get there. Oef yes
- PV: Hardcore but not really an ultra Ruthless Guy: "Raikkonen
SS: Nope
How does Norris or Piastri stop Verstappen gate-crashing their party?
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