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Verstappen looks ahead to GP Japan

Verstappen has few worries: 'We didn't win one GP, **** happens'

21 September 2023 at 08:17
Last update 21 September 2023 at 08:56
  • Cas van de Kleut

Red Bull Racing undoubtedly had its worst weekend of the year in Singapore. That bar was pretty high too, after winning the first 14 races of the season, but the Austrian team also missed out on a podium during the night race. Max Verstappen, however, expects his team to be the strongest again this weekend.

In Singapore, Verstappen's run of 10 wins in a row was broken. Speaking to De Telegraaf, Verstappen says: "Of course, I would have liked to win in Singapore, but I knew there would come a day when I wouldn't win or something would go wrong. We didn't win one Grand Prix, **** happens. Here [in Japan] we will just go on and try again."

Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren had better speed in Singapore. It is up to Red Bull to regain its form and win the constructors' title as early as this weekend. Last year, Verstappen became world champion among the drivers here, but that is not possible this year. However, the reigning champion can secure his third world title in Qatar if he scores well this weekend.

No worries for Verstappen in Japan

"It's important that we analyse everything, but there's no real rush," Verstappen starts opposite Formula1.com. "Singapore is so different to here in terms of how you set up the car, so I'm not worried that a weekend like that will upset our weekend here. [This track] felt nice on the simulator, so that is good."

Still, the Dutchman is watching another team in Japan with big eyes: "What McLaren have done this year is quite impressive, from where they started to where they are now, so I expect them to be strong - but I expect to be ahead."