The chaotic resolution of the Japanese GP enabled the Dutch driver to complete what, sooner or later, was going to happen: winning, and in what way, his second World Championship
Max Verstappen is the last multiple Formula 1 world champion since this Sunday after winning his second wound. In a GP of Japan that will yield a lot for sporting and non-sporting reasons, the Dutchman confirmed with four races to spare what would fall like ripe fruit. No one, except the most unconscious, believed he would escape.
The way to win the second World Cup is almost a declaration of intent. Verstappen cannot just take a title. It happened as early as 2021 with the first, when a championship for the annals of history dissolved in an unforgettable Abu Dhabi GP and canceled it out for Lewis Hamilton himself. Although he hasn’t had to suffer as much this year, the chaotic Suzuka round reaffirmed the idea that he is a driver who attracts chaos. Like a black hole sucking up everything that comes close, the more its statistics grow, the more obvious it becomes that the Dutchman is getting bigger in these situations.
His statistics, which are already spectacular, will soon fall short. After the race in Japan he has two World Championships, 32 wins (similar to Alonso in these two aspects, but 16 years younger), 18 pole positions, 21 fastest laps, 74 podiums… At 25 years old he breaks all records and few doubt that it will destroy them sooner rather than later. He has at least ten years to go in Formula 1 and aside from the surprise, he will not stop at being one of the greats on the grid. Much would have to change the ‘status quo’ to make his government fall short.
Max Verstappen is by no means an eccentric driver. If Hamilton has chosen to push his passion for fashion to the limit of good taste while also becoming the champion of the social struggles he touches, the latest Red Bull jewel is doing only what it knows best: winning.
The fans understood from the first moment. He came to F1 skipping many steps straight to Toro Rosso’s seat because it was the ordeal that Helmut Marko, his great defender, had to launch so that Mercedes didn’t pick him up. The bet, risky, went pretty well, considering what was seen.
His success is also that of his father. Jos Verstappen went through F1 without much glory, possibly weighed down by the time he had to race and share the track and box with the competition’s greatest legend of all time, Michael Schumacher, when he was still on the road. He soon realized that he couldn’t shine alone if he had the sun next to him.
So he turned to his son. Max Verstappen grew up on wheels. Today, an old photo has been recovered of a ruddy lad climbing on an F1 Honda that years later would defend that same shield under Red Bull’s livery. You can’t understand the perfect machine that becomes ‘Mad Max’ if you don’t look at the roots implanted in it by its inexorable father. Without touching any sloppy limits, Jos “The Boss” was the one who, like so many other parents, pushed his son through the door he never got over: success.
After what he experienced in 2021, this has been his confirmation in 2022. Hamilton’s fans, especially the most sectarian, are fouling the Dutchman’s milestone accusing him of cheating and conspiring with the FIA to evade his idol’s eighth title. Verstappen had to claim himself for what he is, a great diamond that was not easy to polish in its early years and that little by little has become the jewel it is.
Formula 1 appreciates it and encourages it. They are aware that the stones laid a few seasons ago could culminate in a gigantic mountain, which will endure the annals of history. Because there is no doubt about it, like those who look at Naranjo de Bulnes, Teide or even Kilimanjaro today, many years from now they will be looking at the history of F1 and there it will be, engraved in gold letters, the name of Max Emilian Verstappen . What is not yet known, but is suspected, is whether it will be the greatest champion of all time or just one that has lifted millions of fans around the world from their seats.
Source: La Verdad
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