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Formula One sensation Max Verstappen is all set to make a dynamic comeback this weekend at the highly anticipated Japanese Grand Prix, following a surprising break in his 10-race winning streak in Singapore.
The previous weekend at Marina Bay saw Ferrari's Carlos Sainz clinch the top spot, marking the first time Red Bull didn't make it to the podium in this year's season. However, Verstappen is not one to be daunted easily. The Suzuka circuit, known for its high-speed tracks, seems tailor-made for the Dutch prodigy's car, a sharp contrast to the street circuits of Singapore. History also bolsters Verstappen's confidence; he secured his second consecutive championship at the very same venue last year.
“Singapore is so different to what we will experience here in terms of the way you set up the car, so I'm also not worried that a weekend like that will upset our weekend here,” Verstappen said.
Even though Singapore wasn't a victory for Verstappen, he still managed to stretch his championship lead to a whopping 151 points over fellow Red Bull driver Sergio Perez. The math suggests that while Verstappen can't clinch the drivers' title in Japan, the Red Bull team, leading by a massive margin in the constructors' standings, has the opportunity to bag the title if they can outperform Mercedes by even a single point.
Verstappen's victory at last year's Japanese Grand Prix was historic, placing him amongst an elite group of 13 drivers to have won back-to-back drivers' championships. His triumph was cemented when rival Charles Leclerc from Ferrari faced a penalty, pushing him to the third spot.
While Verstappen looks forward to Suzuka, Mercedes' star driver, Lewis Hamilton, is also someone to watch out for. With five Japanese GP victories under his belt, the most recent being in 2018, Hamilton has showcased his prowess on the Japanese track. Yet, the formidable performance of the Red Bull team this season is not lost on him.
“I would think that if they're not 30 seconds ahead like they have done in the past then something's up,” he said.
“But no, I think as Checo (Sergio Perez) said, it was obviously a difficult weekend their last one, but their car should be phenomenal here," he added.
In a nutshell, the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling showdown, with Verstappen keen to return to his winning form and Hamilton looking to draw upon his past successes in Japan. Fans and enthusiasts await with bated breath to see how the race unfolds!
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