Max Verstappen could be crowned Formula 1 World Champion on Sunday as early as not in 20 years. The defending champion will be just 25 years old before that - and still doesn't believe in his triumph. The competition is finally hoping for a successful attack in the hot race.
Max Verstappen just started partying at home in Monaco. There really are enough occasions. In Formula 1, the world champion follows victory after victory, on Friday he will be celebrating his 25th birthday in Singapore. Oh yes, and two days later he can win the world title there again.
Well, says Verstappen, "I would need a bit of luck for that". That's why he "don't even think about it" - that he needs a win in the night race on Sunday (2 p.m. / Sky and in the ntv.de live ticker) and at the same time fairly weak results from Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull .
Instead, he wants to "enjoy the moment," says Verstappen. And he's done that quite boisterously in the past few days, the internet knows: Verstappen in the club, surrounded by numerous friends, including Formula 1 colleague Lando Norris - photos and videos from this party went around the world.
The season is still in full swing, but Verstappen no longer seems particularly tense. Whatever should happen to him: he can't really lose anymore, but he can still win as much. If Verstappen actually wins his second title in a row on Sunday, then that's quite historic. Five races are still on the calendar after Singapore, it would be the earliest triumph in 20 years - at that time Michael Schumacher had made it six races before the end.
And only Nigel Mansell (1992/5 races before the end) was also that early once, no one else managed it. A look at the man who had Formula 1 in a headlock for seven years also shows how special Verstappen's current superiority is: Record world champion Lewis Hamilton secured his title no earlier than three races before the end of the season.
And that's why Red Bull makes a commitment even before the second title is won. Verstappen is “definitely the fastest driver” the team has ever had, said motorsport consultant Helmut Marko recently at Sport1. Faster than Sebastian Vettel, who brought Red Bull four world titles. You once thought Vettel was "the best of the best. But then Max came along."
There is no question that Verstappen will become world champion again this year. After the last five wins in a row, at least Singapore could bring a little variety, so the pursuers hope.
Ferrari is on the upswing after Leclerc's surprisingly strong second place in Monza. "I think we've taken a step forward," says team boss Mattia Binotto. And Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes, recently talked about simulations that encourage Singapore.
Incidentally, Verstappen has won on most Formula 1 circuits, but never in Singapore. He will probably not celebrate his birthday on Friday in excess. There's a lot at stake on Sunday.
