Seven-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton has expressed his belief that something might be amiss if Red Bull does not return to their usual dominant form at the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix. Last weekend in Singapore marked the first time this season that Red Bull did not win a race. What made the victory loss even more significant was the fact that Red Bull did not appear on the podium at all. 

The Mercedes driver remarked, “I would think if they are not 30 seconds ahead like they have been in the past, then something’s up. It was a difficult weekend, the last one, but their car should be phenomenal here. They have been phenomenal all year.”

Max Verstappen, Red Bull’s top driver and the current championship leader, anticipates that McLaren could pose a strong challenge at Japan’s Suzuka circuit, which is known for its demanding and high-speed nature. He acknowledged, “It should be a good track for us, but McLaren have been making great gains, and they are normally quite good in the high-speed as well. So they can be quite strong here, I think.”

When asked if he thought McLaren could compete with Red Bull in Japan, Verstappen responded affirmatively, stating, “Yeah, I think so,” and praised McLaren’s progress throughout the season.

Hamilton’s teammate, George Russell, also expects McLaren to perform well due to the circuit’s numerous high-speed corners, which resemble those where McLaren has demonstrated strength, such as the British Grand Prix.

Russell pointed out that McLaren’s Lando Norris might be the favorite in the battle among McLaren, Mercedes, and Ferrari for the “best of the rest” position.

He stated that he anticipates Red Bull’s return to the top but noted the questions that could arise if they do not perform as expected, hinting at recent rule clarifications that affected flexible bodywork and floors, potentially impacting Red Bull’s performance. Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, has stated that they made no changes to their car as a result of these clarifications.

Leon Osamor