If Verstappen doesn't win the world title, he'll have lost it himself'.

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29 August 2022 at 14:32
Last update 29 August 2022 at 16:43
  • GPblog.com

Jacques Villeneuve is sure about it. According to the former F1-driver Max Verstappen will be world champion in 2022. In his column for Formule1.nl the Canadian expresses his admiration for Verstappen and Red Bull Racing.

Dominating Verstappen

Verstappen surprised friend and foe in Belgium by winning the Belgian Grand Prix from P14 with playful ease. It took the reigning world champion less than half a race to take the lead and then put the entire field at bay. That display of power says enough about the rest of the F1 season, according to Villeneuve.

''He was so dominant, nobody could come close to him, it was impressive. Max was really in a world of his own,'' Villeneuve said of the Red Bull driver. According to the 1997 world champion, Verstappen cannot lose the title. ''I don't see how he can lose it, unless he gets extremely unlucky or starts making really stupid mistakes. And if he doesn't win the title, it will be because he lost it himself.

Newey's wonder car

Although Verstappen put in an exceptional performance in Belgium, Villeneuve also points to the RB18. Adrian Newey 's latest creation is the best on the grid at the moment and gives Max the opportunity to excel. Where other teams were either fast on the straight or in the corners, Red Bull was fast everywhere.

With this excellent form, Red Bull Racing and Verstappen head straight to Zandvoort, where the Dutch Grand Prix is scheduled to be held. With the Italian Grand Prix on the calendar immediately afterwards, there is little time for the competition to catch up. It is therefore likely that Verstappen will only run further and further away from his second world title.