Michael Schmidt expects that Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing will quickly put Australia’s disappointment behind them and take revenge in Japan next week. According to the journalist from Auto, Motor, und Sport, the strengths of the RB20 fit perfectly with the characteristics of the Japanese circuit and that is why, according to the German journalist, Red Bull is the top favorite in Suzuka.
After two double victories in the first two races of the season, the Austrian team had to take a step back in Australia. Verstappen had to abandon the race after a few laps after a problem with the brake caliper on the right rear of his RB20 and teammate Sergio Pérez also did not have a smooth race. The Mexican reportedly suffered floor damage during his fight with Fernando Alonso and did not get further than fifth place. With this, Red Bull only scored ten points and Ferrari, which this time took the double victory, came within four points in the constructors’ championship.
Red Bull favorite in Japan
For the first time since the Singapore Grand Prix, Verstappen was not on the highest step of the podium at the end of a race in Australia. However, according to Schmidt, this will be a one-off, because the next test of strength will be at Suzuka, the very place where Verstappen made a big splash in 2023 after the disappointing weekend in Singapore. “Yes, I think Red Bull is the favorite,” the German answers his colleague’s question in the Formel Schmidt podcast.
“I think this circuit is tailor-made for them, with all those fast corners at the beginning of the lap,” continues Schmidt, who also remembers the previous edition of the Japanese Grand Prix well. ‘Last year Verstappen actually drove everyone into a pile. He was already half a second faster in the first sector alone,” said Schmidt, who expects Ferrari will once again have to prepare for a battle with McLaren. ‘Ferrari has become much better in the fast corners. That was their weak point last year. So I would say they will be competing with McLaren for the spots behind the Red Bull drivers. We don’t have to be discouraged if Red Bull wins again. We’ll see if Ferrari has really come closer compared to last year. I think so,” Schmidt concludes.
