Debate | Verstappen will win all Grands Prix for the rest of the F1 season

After the end of the Singapore Grand Prix, Helmut Marko immediately expressed his confidence for the weekend at Suzuka. The Red Bull Racing advisor declared that Red Bull had figured out the problems and was close to a solution. It proved no bluff from the 80-year-old Austrian, as Verstappen proved six days after qualifying so dramatically at Marina Bay Street that it was just an incident.

Verstappen immediately set the tone in the first free practice session by blowing away the competition. Carlos Sainz, the runner-up of that session, was no less than six tenths slower. During FP2, the difference with just over three tenths towards Charles Leclerc was no longer that big, but Red Bull did show that they are 'just' the favourite in Japan again.

Like every other Formula 1 driver, Verstappen has a team-mate, but Sergio Perez did not show much of a presence during the first and second free practice sessions, finishing 11th and ninth. The Mexican has been the lesser of the two for months and it seems unlikely that he will suddenly be able to turn it around in the final two months of the season.

Competition from Ferrari?

The Dutch Grand Prix was disappointing for Ferrari, but since then they have taken a big step forward. At Monza, there was pole and Sainz managed to keep Verstappen behind for quite a long time. Two weeks later in Singapore, there was pole again, but more importantly, the first win of the year. So Ferrari should be taken into account in the remainder of 2023.

However, it may just be Red Bull again wielding the sceptre in the remaining seven Grands Prix. Verstappen was dominant again and does not seem intent on slowing down - despite not being able to miss out on the world title. Will Red Bull dominate the remainder of the 2023 season as they did before Singapore or can Perez or Ferrari (or another team from the sub-top) win another race this year?