Verstappen's Japanese Grand Prix winning feeling shows he still 'really cares'

Fernando Alonso called Verstappen's pole lap on Saturday 'magical'. Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, described the Dutchman's performance as 'inspiring'. What Verstappen has been showing for a while now is special, but the driver himself remains modest about it.

Speaking to the media, Verstappen was asked: Was it a special feeling to win in Suzuka? "Yeah, it does (feel special)," Verstappen said. "It also means, I guess, that I really care, even though, of course, it's not been the easiest start to the year for us. We are not where we want to be in terms of performance. We just have to keep on working."

Verstappen also mentioned that he is not swayed by all the compliments. "I'm a bit of a person who doesn't listen to the positives and the negatives. I'm just in the middle so I just focus on my own performances and just keep working, keep grinding." Verstappen explained after his fourth consecutive Japanese Grand Prix victory.

The reigning champion realizes that one victory doesn't mean that he will be able to fight for another next time out at the Bahrain International Circuit, the track where pre-season testing took place. "It was very hard to pass around here. Bahrain is a completely different track, very tough on tyres, and tyres overheating as well. We still have work to do, but it does show that if we really nail everything, we can be up there."